Sam Stellatella, a three-position player in the 1950s, has donated money to Sandusky’s defense and urged other former players to do the same. Â Read more after the jump.
“I told him he’s going to need a million dollars to defend himself,” the 73-year-old Stellatella said. “He called me back and said, ‘What am I going to do with this money?’ I said, ‘Use it for your lawyer because you’re going to need it.’ ”
Stellatella sent Sandusky $100. He wrote personal letters to other members of the 1959 Liberty Bowl team that defeated a Bear Bryant-coached Alabama team and asked they also donate. He does not know how much money was raised.
“I know some of the guys sent money,” Stellatella told The Associated Press. “Here’s the thing, these are horrendous charges against him. But he’s still entitled to his day in court. Everybody’s prejudged him. He’s done horrendous damage to Paterno and (athletic director Tim) Curley and the football program. I don’t listen to the news and I don’t read the reports of what he did because I would get too upset.
“But he’s still entitled to his day in court.”
That’s a lone stance among a group of players who have been quick to distance themselves from Sandusky.
Brad Benson, a former Penn State offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants, was not invited to attend the game. He said he wouldn’t go anyway — and had no problem with his fellow former Nittany Lions presenting a unified front — as long as they remembered the true victims of this case.
“I sure wouldn’t want it be a show of solidarity for Joe,” he said.
Benson spoke in anger about Paterno’s actions and, more troubling, the reaction of unruly students who toppled a television news van, rioted and attempted arson after a peaceful demonstration Wednesday night turned ugly.
“There are people right now that are supporting Joe. They are rioting and doing things they shouldn’t be doing,” he said. “I equate these students that are rioting to the occupiers on New York City right now. They’re not mature enough to understand why they’re rioting. They weren’t there when this happened. What are they protesting? They’re protesting that someone with a tremendous responsibility failed to fulfill his moral responsibility, and other people failed as well.”
Sources told ESPN that as a way to possibly honor Paterno, some current Penn State players have discussed bringing a game ball to the fired coach’s house if the team defeats Nebraska.
