Bob Costas Sandusky: Why Decision to Speak Was Shockingly Stupid

Perhaps what was even more shocking than Jerry Sandusky's remarks in his interview with Bob Costas on Monday night was that he chose to be interviewed in the first place.

The former Penn State defensive coordinator, who is facing charges of sexually abusing young boys, wasn't originally scheduled to be interviewed by Costas; his laywer, Joseph Amendola, was.

But right before Costas was set to interview Amendola on NBC's Rock Center, Amendola actually asked him if he wanted to interview Sandusky himself.

Said Costas, via the New York Times:

"

"About 10 or 15 minutes prior to the start of the interview. Amendola says to us, on his own: 'What if I could get Sandusky on the phone?'"

"

What ensued was an interview that probably hurt Sandusky's case even more, as he made several odd remarks that actually made him look even worse.

Addressing a 2002 incident in which he was allegedly seen by current receivers coach Mike McQueary sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in one of Penn State's locker room showers, Sandusky explained the "rhythmic slapping" that was heard was the boy sliding around on the floor and the slapping of towels during "horseplay."

When Costas asked him if he was sexually attracted to young boys, Sandusky clearly hesitated, then said, "Am I sexually attracted to underage boys? Sexually attracted? You know, I enjoy young people, I love to be around them. But, no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys."

That was perhaps the oddest exchange in the interview, and the most horrifying. Instead of merely saying, "No," Sandusky appeared at conflict. Or, as Costas put it, it was “as if he was pondering it."

In short, Sandusky actually hurt his public image even more.

We may never know why Sandusky all of a sudden decided to interview directly with Costas (guilt, trying to smooth things out?).

But one thing's for sure: it was an incredibly stupid decision on his part.