Paterno family says sanctions defame his legacy - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Member Center:

Paterno family says sanctions defame his legacy

Posted: Updated:

Joe Paterno

INDIANAPOLIS -

The family of Hall of Fame football coach Joe Paterno says the NCAA's sanctions defame his legacy and are a panicked response to the scandal that led to them.

The statement was released Monday by Paterno's family. It says President Rodney Erickson, acting Athletic Director David Joyner and the entire Board of Trustees failed by not seeking a full hearing before the NCAA's infractions committee.

The family also says that punishing "past, present and future" students because of former assistant Jerry Sandusky's crimes did not serve justice.

The family calls the move a "panicked response to the public's understandable revulsion" at Sandusky's sexual abuse of 10 boys over a period of 15 years.

Explore WTHR.com

Interact: Blogs; Contests; Mobile; Photos; Alerts

News: 13 Investigates; Crime; Education; National News; Politics; Obituaries

Sports: Operation Basketball; Colts; Pacers; IndyCar; NASCAR; Indiana Fever

Weather: Live SkyTrak Doppler Radar; Interactive Radar; Closings & Delays; Personal Forecast; City Forecasts

Community: Brain Game; Community Calendar; Events Calendar; Focus

13 Features: Wellness; Marketplace; One Tank Getaways

Extras: About WTHR

Links to the FCC website to view WTHR and/or WALV’s on-line public inspection files:
WTHR: https://stations.fcc.gov/station-profile/WTHR || WALV: https://stations.fcc.gov/station-profile/WALV
Individuals with disabilities may contact Jill Pursell at publicfile@wthr.com, or 317.655.5602, for assistance with access to the public inspection files.