Sue Paterno Addresses Her Husband's Stained Legacy In Open Letter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sue Paterno, the widow of late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, is frustrated. She is saddened by the fact that the legacy of her husband and the program he built has been tarnished, seemingly beyond repair.
However, she refuses to give up on trying to repair it.
On Thursday, just four days before the fourth anniversary of Paterno's firing from Penn State, Sue Paterno released a letter via the family's website addressed to the Penn State lettermen, reiterating her stance on the Freeh Report, the Penn State Board of Trustees and the NCAA.
"Joe and I knew they had acted rashly, but we were hopeful that, with the benefit of time, they would correct their mistakes and set the record straight," she wrote. While the NCAA did wind up reducing the sanctions placed on the school and returning the wins to Paterno's record, they never exonerated the late coach for his role in the Sandusky scandal.
Sue Paterno is tired of remaining silent. "Four years of secrecy are enough. The victims, their families, each of you and everyone who cares about Penn State deserve the truth."
The truth that she wants to be known about her husband and the situation is not something that she outright stated in her letter. "Because these issues are currently being litigated, I am not able to comment on specific aspects of the case. What I can tell you is we respect the courts, and we welcome a chance to have the facts finally reviewed in a setting that honors transparency and due process."
She summed up her address to the lettermen by making it clear how proud she is of them.
"Finally, I want you to know how proud I am of each of you. What you do with your lives is the ultimate testament to the Penn State culture. My life continues to be consumed with children and grandchildren and raising money for the causes Joe and I cared so much about. I also continue to pray for the victims and hope that the lessons of the Sandusky case will open eyes throughout our society."
Sue Paterno also reminded them that next year, on September 17, it will be the 50th anniversary of Paterno's first game as the head coach at Penn State. She said that a special event to honor the occasion is being planned and more details are to come.