Joe Paterno Statement: Penn State Football Coach Address Sandusky Abuse Scandal, Retirement
After days of shocking revelations about the sexual assaults allegedly committed by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, the patriarch of the Penn State football program, Joe Paterno, announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.
An iconic presence in college football for decades before the recent scandal threatened to irrevocably alter his legacy, Paterno issued a statement shortly after the announcement:
I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.FOLLOW THE SCANDAL AT PENN STATE WITH LIVE UPDATES:I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.
| @ Ben_Jones88 : According to the letter, the NCAA first contacted Penn State about these issues on November 5th. |
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : Bylaws in question include: 19.01.2, 10.1, and Institutional control which is found in (2.1, 6.01.1 and 6.4) |
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : The questions surround these issues : Institutional control, monitoring future actions, the actions of the accused, and general compliance |
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : The NCAA has launched an investigation of Penn State. University officials will have to answer several questions by December 16th. |
NCAA President Mark Emmert sent a letter to Penn State notifying the University that they will launch an investigation into their athletic programs.
"I am writing to notify you that the NCAA will examine Penn State's exercise of institutional control over its intercollegiate athletics programs, as well as the actions, and inactions, of relevant responsible personnel," Emmert wrote. "We recognize that there are ongoing federal and state investigations and the NCAA does not intend to interfere with those probes."
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : It took Sandusky more time to answer "Are you attracted to boys" than to finish that McQueary interview. |
| @ PeteThamelNYT : So much for that McQueary interview. Bad job by CBS promoting it. That was a no comment. |
Barely... Basically, McQueary said he won't talk until it all plays out and that was it. Great promotion by CBS..
CBS Evening News reports that more victims have come forward in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case.
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : From the looks of it, McQueary is going to reaffirm his testimony from the GJ report which also says such a conversation took place. |
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| @ Ben_Jones88 : McQueary says he talked to the man in charge of university police about the assault. Who's that man? Gary Schultz. http://t.co/hOQZyLfa |
| @ MilesDoranCBS : Penn State asst. coach Mike McQueary speaks publicly for the first time to @CBSNews. TONIGHT on the @CBSEveningNews |
| @ LayserFocus : Lots around stadium still relatively full with tailgaters. Blue Band drummers on Park Ave. No 'rioting' in site. #BeaverStadium |
Asked by ESPN's Tom Rinaldi about the week, the game:
"Well, you know, we've had better weeks in our lives, obviously. You know, I think about a week ago, where we were sitting and the world is kind of turned upside down. But I think our kids were resilient, I think they had some real challenges...."
Jay has been the quarterbacks coach for more than a decade, meaning he was there when McQueary witnessed Sandusky's alleged rape of that boy in the shower. He's also worked very closely with his father and McQueary who is the wide receivers coach. Wouldn't it seem likely that he was aware of any allegations? Isn't that question more pertinent then how he feels today?
McGloin throws one into the ground over the middle. Penn State team didn't give up when it would have been very easy, too. Nebraska took care of business in as unusual an atmosphere as a road team will likely ever enter.
NEBRASKA 17Penn State 14
McGloin can't find a receiver far (on 1st) or near (2nd). 3rd and 10 with 15 seconds.
With nothing going, McGloin dumps it off but back is tackled for loss in bounds and in backfield. Clock runs....
Burkhead gets stretched out to sideline and get get the edge, terrific effort by PSU defender to trip him up. Penn State gets ball back with 49 seconds remaining.
Interesting call for Pelini here. Nebraska can try a long field goal to make it a six-point game, they can try for first down with Burkhead or they can punt and try to pin PSU. 54 seconds left.
Nebraska ball. Penn State has two timeouts so they will get the ball back if they can stop Nebraska.
Redd is stopped INCHES short of yard to gain. There was a seam but he got stood up just in time.
| @ CaseyKeefeWFAN : High drama in Happy Valley. 17-14 Neb. PSU ball at own 10. Under 4 to go. |
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The Huffington Post First Posted: 11/09/11 10:56 AM ET Updated: 11/09/11 12:25 PM ET