Sandusky Scandal: LaVar Arrington, Former Penn State Linebacker, Reacts To Investigation

The shocking allegations that have arisen at Penn State regarding former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky's alleged sexual acts with minors he mentored, as well as the supposed cover up that Penn State administrators enacted afterwards, have taken the entire sports world off-guard. Plenty have weighed in, but few testimonies have been as personal as that provided by one of Sandusky's prized pupils -- former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington.

Arrington spoke on The Fan 106.7 FM in Washington DC on Monday afternoon to articulate his thoughts on the matter. HuffPost Sports compiled an excerpt of some of his comments below:

When I got to Penn State, I guess the reason why I gravitated to Jerry Sandusky, outside of the obvious of him being the professor of 'Linebacker U,' -- and that is why you go to that school, I wanted to be a part of that tradition, the one thing that really stood out and stuck with me was that I always saw him giving back. I always saw him as being a part of the community. I always saw him working with kids and caring about them. So when I heard this information, when all these things started being reported, it totally took me off-guard. I was moved to tears. I looked at my children because immediately I started thinking back to all the moments that I had at Penn State and all the moments I had with him. And just thinking to myself how hard I worked to please him. And how hard I work to please Joe [Paterno]. And how hard we all worked to please these guys, and then to have this happen... I look at what has taken place, not knowing everything, not knowing how it's all going to pan out, not knowing what this has to do with Joe or with [Tim] Curley or with the other fella that's the Treasurer of the school. I'm upset, I'm shocked and I'm disappointed. Disappointed that, no matter what the outcome is, there were so many lives that were affected and impacted the wrong way. And so for me -- and I know I'm speaking not only on behalf of myself but I'm speaking on behalf of every person who has ever went into a classroom at Penn State and has tried to do things the right way and what we call 'The Penn State way' -- the reason I'm speaking out is because that's how I feel. The irresponsible acts and the nature of what these allegations are right now, I just hate for it to be a lasting legacy of [Penn State] because that institution has done so much. So many countless things in the community with kids, with adults and with education. Penn State has been at the forefront of doing things the right way. The irresponsible nature of how this was handled, and the magnitude of what this represents, it's very disturbing. I'm ashamed of it. With that being said, for as much love as I had in my heart for that coaching staff -- because I followed Jerry [Sandusky], Jerry was our leader -- and now I sit here and I feel so empty. I feel a certain type of way that a person shouldn't have to feel.

The former NFL linebacker spoke for roughly 10 minutes uninterrupted about the incident before taking calls from listeners.

Arrington also wrote a blog post for The Washington Post Monday morning that outlined some of his experiences with Sandusky:

He was always very active in trying to help troubled youths and often asked me to take time out of my schedule to spend time with the kids that he would bring around the facility. I remember distinctly playing soccer games in the locker room with a taped-up towel. It meant a lot to me to help brighten the day of a child who had issues at home. I never saw or felt anything that would've made me uncomfortable or even felt that inappropriate things were taking place. For what it's worth, I too was just a kid back then, why would I think that Jerry of all people could possibly be capable of doing such things?

Although Arrington claims to have the report outlining Sandusky's explicit actions with the minors, he confessed that he could not bring himself to read it.

@LaVarArrington
LaVar Leap Arrington

to everyone who continues to ask me about the report yes i have it but i wont read it.its like seeing a family member in a casket

November 7, 2011 9:30 pm via web Reply Retweet Favorite

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Comments

[MorallyConcerned]

11:13 AM on 12/02/2011

I have been watching Penn State scurrying around in damage control mode. Everyones trying to find some moral high ground to postion themselves on. The very idea that this, or most any other college in the US, could use the word "moral" with any kind of convincing tone is laughable. Of course the word "moral" being used by the new acclaimed "moral leaders" (Trustees, Board of Directors, Police Departments, Louis Freeh, School Districts and so on) is not the same word used in connection with Almighty God. That morality views all perverse sexual activity (the unnatural use of the sex organs and sex outside the marriage vows) as immoral.

Here are the question I would like to see answered. What did the Trustees know and when? What did Graham Spanier know and when? Why was Renee Portland let go?

The "moral" atmosphere of Penn State is a direct result of long term moral leadership of the Board of Directors and the Trustees. They should all be dismissed immediately.

[Berlet98]

03:39 AM on 11/11/2011

It’s been said that “Scandal is what one half of the world takes pleasure inventing, and the other half in believing.” That observation applies in spades to the ongoing scandal at Penn State University except for the fact those pleasuring in the PSU scandal have been woefully misdirected.

For inexplicable reasons, many people hate Penn State, perhaps for its immense size, its influence, or its football team.

Someone actually published a currently out of print screed on the subject titled, I Hate Penn State: 303 Reasons Why You Should, Too, a screed which may experience a revival in the wake of the events of the past six days in University Park, PA, regrettable events rapidly turning Happy Valley into an unhappy lowland.

It’s very evident neither the PSU child sex scandal nor its repercussions were invented and, at this point, the crimes against children and nature committed by former Nittany Lion defensive coach Jerry Sandusky must be termed ”alleged” until he is, hopefully, tried, convicted, and sentenced to live out his remaining days in some godforsaken Pennsylvania state prison.

(See “Paterno vs Sandusky, Mistakes vs. Predation,” http://tiny.cc/r4lqf.)

As more and more of Sandusky’s victims emerge–the count may reach twenty–media and public venom are developing into a tsunami. However, in a peculiar twist, the venom isn’t being directed against the alleged perpetrator of the vile crimes but against legendary football coach . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=5937.)

[Jonu]

11:55 AM on 11/10/2011

I was born in State College and lived there for a long time. Joe Paterno runs that town. Nothing happens without his knowledge and/or approval. He knew.

[Pamela Lewis]

12:39 PM on 11/13/2011

Exactly. His punishment is not enough at this point.

[Jonu]

02:15 PM on 11/13/2011

For people who are actually FROM State College, this isn't surprising news. It is well-known who runs the town - Joe - because it is run by the university and he runs (or ran, though I'm sure he will still have a hand in it) the university. Nothing escapes him. I find all of their actions despicable, though not at all surprising. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[smart tee]

08:21 PM on 11/16/2011

i may not lived there, but watching Penn State in college football I've watched Joe and Gerry for years it was a shock to hear what went down but no doubt Paterno was treated like god in State College as well as at PSU. therefore, I felt sick to my stomach when Paterno was implicated as knowing about Sandusky's dirty deeds and sicker to my stomach when Joe protected him by not doing anything to stop it. So, i believe what you say. Sad all around.

[Jonu]

08:50 PM on 11/16/2011

My family actually had a business there for a while, and that's when we realized who was running the show. It's a very tight-knit group, and one you don't make angry. In other words, they protect their own, and if you don't go along with them you may as well leave town. As for the college students, they have no clue because they are catered to as in any college town.

[stellaone23]

09:02 AM on 11/10/2011

to all those who excuse the people who told somebody who told somebody who told somebody - i have two questions: (1) what if it was your child? (2) what if it was you, what you want them to do?

[KJLSanDiego]

12:27 AM on 11/10/2011

Well said, Mr. Arrington!
I agree, it is such a shame that no one spoke out to the authorities on behalf of these underprivileged kids!

[Fair trial]

06:54 PM on 11/09/2011

What Joe was told was hearsay. He didn't see it himself. He did what he was required to do, tell his boss. People act like he saw it. He doesn't know if it happened or not, only the witness knows if it really happened. He fulfilled his duty. If a coworker told me that he/she saw a child abuse act that occurred at the hands of another employee while at work I would not call the cops, I would tell my boss. That is what Joe did. His boss not acting is another matter entirely. And it is not his job to follow-up on an investigation.

[stellaone23]

09:00 AM on 11/10/2011

cowardice!

[cestpasvrai]

12:51 PM on 11/10/2011

Wow. Seriously? You wouldn't call the authorities, just to be safe? I agree, cowardice.

[ABCJoe123]

09:15 PM on 11/12/2011

Everybody says they would have called the police....I don't believe it...last year when my 8 year old daughter was throwing a fit in WalMart I picked her up from the floor, put her over my shoulder and walked out of the store. While walking through the parking lot to my car she was screaming, Help, help me, he is not my father, help... we passed at least 10 people and not one stopped to see if this child was in danger, not one call to the police (and the police station was only 600 yards from the store). Everybody says they would do more...well I didn't see it. Beyond that we were just notified that a child molester moved in across the street from our house...again who is protecting my children. I don't buy into your suggestion that most folks would have done more and quite frankly based on my experience I think most people would have done less. This is bigger than the winning-est coach or a once respected University...it is about us as a society failing our children.

[JERZ SCORP]

10:56 AM on 11/09/2011

WHY DIDN'T THE GRADUATE ASSISTANT WHO SAW SANDUSKY RAPING THAT CHILD STOP HIM,THEN REPORT TO THE POLICE ??????

HOW COULD HE SLEEP AT NIGHT ????

[Robson]

11:52 PM on 11/10/2011

That's young assistant to the coach was like a choir boy walking in on a longtime priest raping another kid. As compared to the priest the choir boy has no credibility. The priest has already had a history of receiving the blessing of the cardinal. A choir boy reporting a priest would do nothing except come back as a blackball and haunt him.

An assistant to an assistant coach reporting Sandusky at that time would have the police charging the asst for the crimes or assault against Sandusky. That's how crooked police work and for others to claim that McQueary should have done more, they are naive to think that anything he did at that time would end Sandusky's reign of terror. The 27yo already knew the situation and that he was helpless to work against crooked police and others.

[smart tee]

08:27 PM on 11/16/2011

that's because the assistant is a nobody. that talking smack about a powerful asst coach to JOE PATERNO the head honcho and god of Penn State and State College the police will most likely not believe or listen to him. I blame Joe more for not using his power to stop his buddy and report him to authorities, instead of turning the blind eye and protect him.

[redbuns]

09:31 AM on 11/09/2011

students rally for paterno??? that really speaks well of these students doesn't it.
and just think folks, your tax dollars are going to "educate" these dipsticks.

[rhottenste]

11:28 AM on 11/09/2011

thanks for reminding me. also, we have been paying sandusky's "retirement" for the last 10 years too! Think Spanier will get his?

[czmars]

09:25 AM on 11/09/2011

who knows. right now there may maybe thousands of j.sandusskys out there doing their thing. they must be caught at all cost. knowing, and sex prostitution is as old as the bluewhitemarble. and sex abuse of children by adults as well. in the private or public sectors.roman catholics know it well. and in our own government public servants have been caught it as well. sex predators, sex trade,sex abuse and degradation must be fought and repealed by us all . now disclosure at pennstate is only the tipoftheiceberg. will it ever stop. will it ever go away. i do not thing so. the flesh has been weak for thousands of years now. thank you

[baxtron]

05:06 PM on 11/09/2011

including Sandusky. he is out on $100,000 bail! for raping little boys.

[artsgolfer]

09:21 AM on 11/09/2011

Thank you Mr. Arrington for saying it all and saying it beautifully.

[bamberg77]

09:03 AM on 11/09/2011

Joe P. turned a blind-eye to his long-time friend's wrongdoings, the "I reported it to my highers, so i did my part" crap SUCKS !! Sandusky should had been REMOVED from school property once 85 yr old Joe was informed, Blind-loyalty can be misplaced..

Perhaps it is time for Joe to ride off into the sunset and allow Penn State to repair their damaged reputation. Penn State is a fine EDUCATIONAL institution, the Wharton School of Business is world ranked as a MBA school. Perhaps its time America & its Institution's of HIGHER LEARNING started to focus on that !!

The SPORTS GODS & the BOOSTERS need to be controlled, college is meant to be a learning experince. The College Degree lasts a lifetime, while a Sports Carreer (If the College Grad is even picked up by a Pro Team at all) lasts a blink of a eye. Lets put the focus back on LEARNING and less on a 85 yr old Football coach. Good-Bye Joe retire and fade away...

[forwardev3r]

08:18 AM on 11/09/2011

I can understand why LaVar is shocked. At the same time this is why you can never totally put your trust in man. From that perspective, no one should be shocked because in any fraternal order you will have scandals. Especially when you have a pervert running wild among youths. I used to go to a recreation center where I grew up. I had a little respect for the instructors that ran the center, however, there was always something strange about those men. Later in life I discovered that most of them were gay and I dont know if they ever did what this guy sandusky did. It didnt happen to me and its because I trusted my instincts over my respect for them. This is going on in countless Universities and Colleges. Churches also as well as other major institutions. Just sit back and watch the show because more allegations will arise and it wont be just Penn State.

[hope61]

11:12 AM on 11/09/2011

You have ZERO proof by your own admission. but still slander them. The only thing clear here is your homophobia.

[Soulpractioner]

12:26 PM on 11/09/2011

Hope61 - I agree with you 100%. This has nothing to do with homosexuality. It's about adults preying on children, whether those adults are gay or straight. "...something strange about those men." What the hell is that? All czmar's statement shows is that there's something ignorant about him or her.

[forwardev3r]

02:54 PM on 11/09/2011

Zero proof? The proof is in the pudding. Throw a stone in the crowd, the one that hollas mustve got hit. Just because someone dont agree with that way of living does not make them homophobic. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

[vonric]

09:04 AM on 11/14/2011

sorry to dissapoint, but the correlation between gender orientation and pedophilia is nonexistent. The concept has been debunked clinically time and time again....

[ricklittle1219]

07:58 AM on 11/09/2011

Joe made a bad choice. Woody Hayes was OUSTED from OSU because of his temper that I believe his age brought on when he punched a member of the opposing team.
Had this been done at OSU when Woody was coaching ....he would have taken care of the sick-o himself, then would have contacted the police. Ted Knight at Indiana would have done the same.
Such a sad way to end your "legacy" @ Penn State but you must be held accountable for your non-action of this sick staff member.
Goodbye Joe ! you gotta go, me oh my oh!

[srthd98]

07:56 AM on 11/09/2011

Let God deal with them and Penn State too and lets see how really important college football is.

[srthd98]

07:45 AM on 11/09/2011

No big surprise here! 1 in 4 women will be sexually abused in college. Many boys and girls in public schools will be sexually abused and nothing is done, its usually covered up. In NY there is hundreds of cases of teachers accused of sexual abuse that are back logged because NYS has only 5 investigators. Beware of those people who are always around children and also any authority figures. People who abuse will be working among those they wish to abuse. It's sick people put college football above a person in need.