DeAndre Levy Says Proudest NCAA Moment Was Breaking 'Dirtbag' Joe Paterno's Leg

Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy, a former Wisconsin standout, called the accidental hit that broke the leg of longtime Penn State head coach Joe Paterno in 2006 his "proudest moment in college."

Mike Rubin of Men's Journal passed along comments from Levy on Nov. 17 about the infamous moment as part of a wide-ranging look at the defender the outlet deemed "The Most Interesting Man in the NFL." He labeled Paterno a "dirtbag" as part of a pointed critique.

"We've gotta stop prioritizing sports over humanity," Levy said. "Just because somebody can throw a football or coach football, they're excluded from their wicked acts."

Levy discussed those comments on Sunday in a special column for the Detroit Free Press.

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I hope me speaking in jest about my "proudest moment" doesn’t distract from the serious sentiment. Any person or institution, Joe Paterno included, that turns away from or fails to act against sexual assault is a "dirtbag." ...

If you're aware of sexual violence and don't use the full strength of your power to stop it, you're just as complicit and responsible. We have to stop prioritizing sport over humanity and the worse things a person can do, including failing to disrupt DECADES of sexual violence.

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The 29-year-old Milwaukee native has become known for his hard-hitting, brash style on the field as well as being outspoken off the gridiron. He told Men's Journal his lifestyle, which includes traveling the world in search of unique experiences, has made him an outlier.

"You're expected to be one way," Levy said. "And if you're outside of that, they think something's wrong with you."

His comments about Paterno, who died in 2012 after being fired two months prior amid the Jerry Sandusky sexual-abuse scandal, are based on revelations the former Penn State stalwart knew about his assistant's actions for decades.

In July, Marc Tracy of the New York Times reported on court documents that showed testimony claiming the two-time national championship-winning coach first learned about the abuse as early as 1976.

Paterno had stated in his own testimony he "first heard of accusations" in 2001, according to the New York Times report.

Levy is in his eighth season with the Lions and was selected by the franchise in the third round of the 2009 draft. He's appeared in only two games over the past two seasons due to injury.