Jerry Sandusky Child Abuse Scandal: Former Penn State Players Angered by Denials
Former players like LaVar Arrington and Matt Millen are speaking out against embattled former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky.
Speaking to The Fan 106.7 in Washington, D.C., Arrington, a decorated former NFL and Penn State linebacker, vehemently defended the university and lamented over its current state.
“It's an ugly situation. I love Penn State. There's a love affair that I have with that institution that goes far beyond any one person,” Arrington said.
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“When I got to Penn State, I guess the reason why I gravitated to Jerry Sandusky, just, outside of the obvious of him being the professor of 'Linebacker U,' -- and that was why you go there, to be a part of that school, I wanted to be a part of that tradition.”
Arrington said that he was sickened when he listened to Sandusky’s interview with Bob Costas on Rock Center earlier this week, where the coach denied any wrongdoing.
“You know what I'm pissed off about? He didn't say he was sorry to those kids,” Arrington said. “He didn't say he was sorry to the kids at Penn State. He didn't say he was sorry to the players, he didn't say he was sorry to me, (to) us.”
“[Sandusky] didn't apologize to one person, but he wants to maintain (his) innocence,” Arrington said, adding that he has lost 10 pounds and hasn’t slept well since the allegations were made public.
Arrington is the most vocal dissenter of Sandusky among former players, but other Penn State alumni are coming forward.
Former player Mike Guman, who played from 1976 to 1979, said he was saddened by the news.
"I've been on the phone the past few days with some of my (former) teammates," Guman said Tuesday evening from his home. "Some are angry, others are saddened. It's tough."
Guman said he was shocked to hear the news. Former teammate and current NFL analyst Matt Millen was angered by Sandusky’s alleged actions, according to Guman.
Penn State alumni fiercely defend head coach Joe Paterno. But public opinion is that Paterno could have done more to report Sandusky’s indiscretions. He was subsequently fired last week.
Former running backs Franco Harris and Bob Campbell have expressed support. Harris was fired this week for saying publicly that the board was wrong to fire Paterno. Campbell spoke more personally.
"I went to Penn State with one suitcase and no money,” Sanders told the Herald-Mail. “He did more for me ... than anyone could believe.
“People don't realize how he affects kids like me who don't have anything.”
