Jerry Sandusky: Latest News and Reaction to Penn State Scandal

The Penn State football program is embroiled in what could develop into the biggest scandal in NCAA history. Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse against young boys dating back to 1998.

UPDATE 11/10: Despite the fact that Penn State head coach Joe Paterno announced that he would retire at the end of the season, the university decided it had to take immediate action as Paterno was fired on Wednesday night.

The Board of Trustees made the decision to remove both Paterno and President Graham Spanier from power in the face of the Jerry Sandusky child sex scandal. Paterno was understandably disappointed by the news.

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 "I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees' decision, but I have to accept it. A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value."

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UPDATE 11/9: Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has released a statement confirming his retirement through the university:

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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.

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.

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UPDATE 11/9: Joe Paterno's retirement has reportedly now been confirmed by his son Scott, according to Sara Ganim of the Patriot News.

UPDATE 11/9: While it has yet to be confirmed, it appears as though Joe Paterno's incredible run as Penn State's head coach will soon be over. According to the Associated Press, Paterno is set to retire at the conclusion of the season.

UPDATE 11/9: According to myfoxphilly.com, an additional 17 accusers have come forward against Jerry Sandusky. Eight victims were already listed in the grand jury presentment, and an additional 17 have called a phone number set up by state officials.

The number was meant as a hot-line for potential victims to call, and while the validity of the victims has yet to be determined, this could be yet another twist in the Sandusky scandal.

UPDATE 11/9: Penn State university has announced plans to put together a Special Committee that will investigate what failures took place in the Jerry Sandusky scandal and make sure "those responsible are held fully accountable."

UPDATE 11/9: Just as many have been saying, ESPN's Howard Bryant feels as though the entire chain of command at Penn State failed in stopping Jerry Sandusky. Bryant mentions head coach Joe Paterno, athletic director Tim Curley, president Graham Spanier and vice president for business and finance as people who put the protection of power ahead of what is right.

UPDATE 11/8: Many involved with Penn State University are taking the Jerry Sandusky scandal to heart. While some fans may be planning a "blackout" for Saturday's game, others like this 1975 graduate who is seen burning his diploma, are going to greater lengths to show their disapproval.

UPDATE 11/8: While there won't be an impromptu press conference today, the Paterno family is expected to have one within the next 24 hours, meaning at some point tomorrow, Nov. 9, this according to Ben Jones of BackShoeDiaries.com.

UPDATE 11/8: After the university canceled Joe Paterno's weekly press conference that was scheduled for today, there was some speculation that Paterno and his son Scott would set up an impromptu press conference outside the school. According to Pete Thamel of the New York Times, that isn't going to happen, however.

UPDATE 11/8: According to Jimmy Traina of SI.com, WFAN and YES Network reporter and Penn State alum Kim Jones is reporting that Penn State head coach Joe Paterno told his team that that he knew nothing of Jerry Sandusky's actions.

This is in stark contrast to his grand jury testimony in which he admitted to knowing that Sandusky inappropriately touched a young boy. This may have just been his way of getting his team to ignore the allegations, but it isn't consistent with what he has already said.

UPDATE 11/8: As more and more information surfaces, observers continue to call for action. A front-page editorial on PennLive.com suggests that both head coach Joe Paterno and Penn State president Graham Spanier should be let go.

While both men did what was asked of them within the limits of the law, the article explains, neither did the morally correct thing, which would have been calling the police. Both were aware that Jerry Sandusky had, at the very least, inappropriately touched a young boy. Keeping the matter in house is something that may come back to haunt both Paterno and Spanier.

UPDATE 11/8: Despite a New York Times report that Joe Paterno is on his last legs as Penn State's head football coach, Paterno's son Scott insists that the report was premature and that his father is not yet on the outs.

UPDATE 11/8: It has been reported that eight boys were the victims of Jerry Sandusky's sexual attacks, but a ninth victim has stepped forward, according to the Hartford Courant.

The boy is reported to now be of adult age and never reported the encounters with Sandusky to his parents or the authorities. He is said to have met Sandusky through the Second Mile Foundation as the other alleged victims did as well.

UPDATE 11/8: The hits just keep on coming for Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal. Noah Spence, a defensive end who is one of the Nittany Lions' top recruiting targets, appears to be having second thoughts about considering Penn State.

UPDATE 11/8: Following the cancellation of Joe Paterno's weekly press conference, more news has come to light regarding the embattled Penn State head coach.

According to sources close to the New York Times, Paterno's 46-year tenure as the Nittany Lions' head coach is about to come to an end. Although it is uncertain exactly when he will be relieved of his duties, it could be within "days or weeks," and it seems unlikely that he will be back next season.

UPDATE 11/8: It was not Joe Paterno's decision to cancel today's press conference and according to Sara Ganim of Patriot News, he was disappointed with the news. 

Penn State president Graham Spanier canceled the press conference, but no reason has been given. The university said Paterno would only answered football-related questions, but may have feared some backlash with the regards to the Jerry Sandusky case.

UPDATE 11/8:  The exact reasoning for thr cancellation of Joe Paterno's press conference has yet to be announced, but FOX Sports writer Jason Whitlock believes that it was Paterno's decision to cancel the press conference.

UPDATE 11/8: While Penn State head coach Joe Paterno's much-anticipated press conference was scheduled for 12:20 p.m. EDT, it has now been canceled, according to USAToday.com. Despite the fact that the university said head coach Joe Paterno would not answer non-football questions, there seemed to be fear that he would be bombarded with questions related to Jerry Sandusky.

UPDATE 11/8: The "whiteout" has become a tradition at Penn State home games at Beaver Stadium. When the Nittany Lions host the Nebraska Cornhuskers this weekend, however, that may change.

According to wjactv.com, disillusioned Penn State fans are considering taking part in a "blackout" rather than the traditional "whiteout." The blackout would be symbolic in expressing dismay for the way the university handled the Jerry Sandusky case.

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The blackout is to show respect for the victims and show everyone we are a grieving community a grieving school right now we are in shock we are ashamed of what's happened but we still support our team our school these kids out there on the football field did nothing wrong, said (Penn State fan Emily) Wilkins.

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UPDATE 11/8: With Penn State head coach Joe Paterno scheduled to give his weekly press conference, there is much speculation as to what types of questions will be asked. While Paterno has said that he would only answer football questions, many find it necessary for him to address the Sandusky situation, including ESPN personality Michelle Beadle.

Sandusky's supposed actions first came to the attention of the university in 2002 when former graduate assistant and current wide receivers coach Mike McQueary allegedly discovered Sandusky sexually assaulting a boy in a Penn State locker-room shower.

McQueary first reported the incident to his father, and then the pair notified head coach Joe Paterno, and Paterno relayed the information to athletic director Tim Curley. Ultimately, none of the men alerted the authorities, however, enabling Sandusky to continue on with his actions.

The mother of that particular victim was very unhappy with the way the situation was handled. Although McQueary did take action after witnessing the act, she expressed great dismay that he didn't go straight to the police.

According to PennLive.com:

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“I don’t even have words to talk about the betrayal that I feel,” said the mom of Victim Six. “[McQueary] was a grown man, and he saw a boy being sodomized ... He ran and called his daddy?”

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Sandusky reportedly met the children he would eventually abuse through the Second Mile Foundation. The organization was meant to help children develop in a safe environment, but Sandusky allegedly used his clout in the foundation to exploit young boys.

Curley has taken a leave of absence as Penn State athletic director in order to battle perjury charges against him with regards to his grand jury testimony. Also, senior vice president Gary Schultz stepped down from his post for the same reason. Both men face jail time for failing to report the Sandusky incident to the authorities.

The evidence against Curley and Schultz is even stronger as they reportedly banned Sandusky from holding youth football camps on the main campus following the alleged incident he had with a boy in a Penn State shower in 2002.

This means that the school officials were wary of what had happened, yet they failed to report it to authorities. Even with that ban, Sandusky continued to run the camps at a satellite campus of Penn State outside of Erie, Pa.

According to Rivals.com:

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Despite this so-called ‘ban’ which was reviewed and approved by University President Graham Spanier without any further inquiry on his part, there was no effective change in Sandusky’s status with the school and no limits on his access to campus, attorney general Linda Kelly said in a statement.

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The mothers of some of the boys who were allegedly assaulted by Sandusky have begun to come forward. The first boy to speak up did so 10 years ago, but he wasn't believed. It wasn't until a second child came forward three years ago that a true investigation was launched.

Despite damning evidence mounting against him, Sandusky remains defiant. Through his attorney Joe Amendola, Sandusky maintains that the children are simply acting out rather than telling the truth.

As painful as it may be, Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly is asking that more alleged victims come to the forefront and testify against Sandusky. While the two victims who have already come forward may be enough to get Sandusky convicted, the case would be much stronger if all of the boys told their side of the story.

Sandusky's alleged actions have rocked the Penn State community, including former players such as linebacker LaVar Arrington. During Arrington's time at Penn State he played under Sandusky, and like so many before him, he looked up to the legendary coordinator.

According to NBCSports.com:

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I always saw [Sandusky] giving back, I always saw him as being a part of the community, I always saw him working with kids and caring about them, Arrington said by way of the Patriot-News.

So when I heard about this information, when all of these allegations hit … it totally, and when I say totally, it totally took me off-guard. I was moved to tears. I looked at my children.

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At the same time, Arrington also expressed disappointment in McQueary. McQueary was Penn State's starting quarterback when Arrington played for the Nittany Lions. Had Arrington been in McQueary's position, he maintained that he would have put a stop to Sandusky's actions.

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I know Mike [McQueary]. Mike was my quarterback, Arrington said.

I know him. So I’m trying to understand, how do you, and again, maybe he felt as though it would be better suited if it came from Coach Paterno. … I’m going to tell you right now, I gotta stop that [assault]. 

Even if it’s, ‘Coach [Sandusky], I gotta stop you. …  I gotta take this to Coach Paterno right now’. This is not good, oh my gosh, this is not good.

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Arrington also made mention of a graphic grand jury report containing evidence against Sandusky. While Arrington seems to have come to grips with the alleged actions of Sandusky, he has no desire to read the report.

Despite everything that has been hanging over Sandusky's head since 2002, he was reportedly still present around the Penn State football team as recently as last week. Sandusky has continued to be permitted to use school facilities and was seen working out in the team weight room last week.

This is particularly troubling when you consider the fact that the likes of Paterno, Curley and Schultz all knew that Sandusky had done something inappropriate, even if they weren't sure to what extent. While Paterno isn't a target in the investigation, his head is being called for by many.

Continue to check back throughout the days to come as more information becomes available regarding the allegations against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.