Paterno family says NCAA sanctions defame his legacy

By TOM COYNE and RALPH D. RUSSO

| The Associated Press

First Published Jul 23 2012 12:02 pm • Last Updated Jul 23 2012 12:35 pm

INDIANAPOLIS • The family of Hall of Fame football coach Joe Paterno says the NCAA’s sanctions defame his legacy and are a panicked response to the scandal that led to them.

The statement was released Monday by Paterno’s family. It says President Rodney Erickson, acting Athletic Director David Joyner and the entire Board of Trustees failed by not seeking a full hearing before the NCAA’s infractions committee.

The family also says that punishing "past, present and future" students because of former assistant Jerry Sandusky’s crimes did not serve justice.

The family calls the move a "panicked response to the public’s understandable revulsion" at Sandusky’s sexual abuse of 10 boys over a period of 15 years.

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