Paterno_interview

Photo: Washington Post

Here it is, Washington Post reporter Sally Jenkins’ exclusive interview with Joe Paterno, whose lawyer and PR man were present during the discussion which took place at Paterno's home earlier this week.

Jenkins uses many words to paint a picture of Joe and his family in their current state. And while there are relatively few direct quotes from Paterno – who seemingly wasn’t pressed on the most important issues – here are two notable excerpts, one about the night of his firing, and the other, his reaction to the scene Mike McQueary described to him:

Paterno is accused of no wrongdoing, and in fact authorities have said he fulfilled his legal obligations by reporting to his superiors. Nevertheless, the university Board of Trustees summarily dismissed him with a late-night phone call four days after Sandusky’s arrest. At about 10 p.m., Paterno and Sue were getting ready for bed when the doorbell rang. An assistant athletic director was at the door, and wordlessly handed Sue a slip of paper. There was nothing on it but the name of the vice chairman of trustees, John Surma, with a phone number. They stood frozen by the bedside in their nightclothes. Sue in a robe and Paterno in pajamas and a Penn State sweatshirt. Paterno dialed the number.

Surma told Paterno, “In the best interests of the university, you are terminated.” Paterno hung up and repeated the words to his wife. She grabbed the phone and redialed.

“After 61 years he deserved better,” she snapped. “He deserved better.”

 

…

“You know, he didn’t want to get specific,” Paterno said. “And to be frank with you I don’t know that it would have done any good, because I never heard of, of, rape and a man. So I just did what I thought was best. I talked to people that I thought would be, if there was a problem, that would be following up on it.” 

 

Read the full story here.