Mike Francesa And Kim Jones Discuss The Latest From Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WFAN) — WFAN's Kim Jones, Penn State alum and former Nittany Lions Football reporter joined Mike Francesa on Wednesday's show from State College, Pennsylvania to discuss the latest developments on Joe Paterno, Penn State President Graham Spanier, the Penn State board and wide receivers coach Mike McQueary.
Listen Now: Kim Jones Shares The Latest Insight On The Penn State Scandal
Jones spoke about these topics Wednesday. "About 8:00 this morning, I heard definitively as you can hear that Graham Spainer is out as President of Penn State. Graham Spanier simply did not have enough trustees on his side to survive this. There is still a potential that he faces criminal charges. There are people here at Penn State who believe he will face charges in this investigation."
She continued, "My sense is that at this point, the Paterno camp was not going to say the board essentially, 'Okay, we've got first dibs. We dare you to contradict us.' All along I heard consistently things that led me to believe the events today could play out as they did."
The findings have besmirched the reputation of a proud university as Jones explained. "I've talked to some prominent former players who were thinking about coming up here for the game. Some are struggling whether they'll be on the sideline. If they're on that sideline, I believe it's going to be perceived as a show of support."
Mike Francesa began his Wednesday afternoon show by delivering a stinging criticism of embattled Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. Francesa went to task on Paterno for protecting himself in light of the sexual abuse allegations against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
Listen Now: Francesa's Thoughts On The Quickly Evolving Penn State Scandal
Paterno delivered the following statement done independently of the university: "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 everyday 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."
He continued: "That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of the season. At this moment the board of trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. There are far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is 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. I will spent the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this university."
Francesa took exception to Paterno's statement. "Obviously he was in a position of authority. He needed to do a lot more. The problem with this is that this is Joe taking care of Joe. This is Joe saying to the trustees, 'Don't spend a minute on me. In other words don't fire me, don't boot me out today, let me finish my season and go out my way.' What about the little guys you didn't take care of the last 15 years by looking the other way."
Mike continued to hammer Paterno and his culpable actions. "Joe's actions can't stand. If Joe can clear himself, if he's going to tell us in some wild unbelievable fashion that Sandusky is innocent, then please do. If he's going to tell us that he can vindicate us and make us believe he knew nothing about this on his campus where he knows everything that happens and happened for the last 50 years – please do."
Francesa condemned the university if they stand by Paterno and McQueary. "It amazes me to be honest with you, that any of these people involved still have a job. It would amaze me 100 times more if Joe Paterno and McQueary are allowed to lead the team onto the field on Saturday. I don't even see how that's humanly possible. What message is Penn State sending if that's the case? If there is shred of decency in that school, he doesn't coach Saturday."
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