On Monday night, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky broke his silence in a telephone interview with Bob Costas on NBC's news program Rock Center. Sandusky denied any inappropriate sexual contact with underage boys.
I say that I am innocent of those charges...I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them, and touched their leg without intent of sexual contact. So if you look at it that way, there are things that would be accurate.
Sandusky denied any allegations of inappropriate sexual contact and said that he never touched their genitals or engaged in oral sex.
He expressed regret, stating "I shouldn't have showered with those young kids. That's what hits me the most." He did deny that he was sexually attracted, but not before pausing and struggling with the question from Costas.
Am I sexually attracted? I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. But no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys.
The former defensive coordinator said the rape allegations of a 2002 shower incident witnessed by then grad assistant Mike McQueary are also false. He characterized it thusly:
I was showering and horsing around. He turned all the showers on and was sliding across the floor. We were, as I recall, snapping the towel and...horseplay.
Sandusky also said that Joe Paterno never spoke to him directly about his behavior - never expressing disapproval of any kind or asking if he needed help or counseling. He said Paterno did not have information prior to the 2002 report by McQueary.
Costas gave Sandusky the opportunity to respond to those who characterize him as a monster.
I don't know what I can say, or what I could say that would make anybody feel any different now. I would just say that if somehow, people could hang on until my attorney has a chance to fight for my innocence. That's about all I could ask right now.
He also stated that he felt horrible about what had happened to Penn State, but that he only played a part in it and it wasn't his fault.