More news is developing in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal: NBC News is reporting as many as six assistant coaches on Joe Paterno’s Penn State football staff witnessed Sandusky’s "inappropriate behavior" with boys. The scandal broke in 2011, and Sandusky was convicted for crimes starting in 1994. But one former assistant reportedly witnessed an incident in the late ’70s.
NBC has confirmed the identities of three coaches who allegedly witnessed Sandusky’s crimes in the early and mid-1990s. All three coaches went on to work at Division I schools or in the NFL. According to an NBC source, one of the three coaches once burst into a room filled with Penn State football staff and blurted out, "You won’t believe what I just saw."
Penn State released a written statement when NBC inquired about the six assistant coaches.
"The university is facing and has faced a number of litigation matters and claims related to the Sandusky events. Allegations of various kinds have been made, and will likely continue to be made," the statement said. "The university does not speculate publicly or hypothesize about individual allegations. These are sensitive matters, and we want to be respectful of the rights of all individuals involved. It would be inappropriate to do otherwise."
Paterno died of lung cancer in 2012, and his statue at the football stadium was removed later that same year. His son, Scott Paterno, has fired back at media outlets' coverage of recent developments.
It would be great if everyone waited to see the substance of the allegation before they assume it's true. Because it's not.
This is about an uncorroborated allegation made months after joe died about a phone call 40 years ago. It's bunk. https://t.co/8Uo7tfcmy8
The level of irresponsibility in the breathless rush to get clicks is the literal death of journalism.
Sandusky, 72, is currently serving 30-60 years after being convicted of molesting 10 boys starting in 1994. He is currently petitioning for a new trial.
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