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NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris on the intense scrutiny he has come under for his support of Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno.
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The scandal finally leading the NC double late to launch its own investigation today.
NFL hall of Famer and former Penn State running back hero Franco Harris has come under intense fire for his defense of Paterno.
In fact he's been fired from one job and yesterday he had to give up being chairman of a Pennsylvania -- Cycle -- joining us now in this exclusive.
Interview Franco good this CF thanks for joining us appreciate it.
David my my pleasure of the -- question -- -- And I would like to say you made reference that Paterno was fired because -- -- scandal.
That is not the reason why he was he was fired because of the scandal could everything.
Well why what he -- Franco.
We hear a lot of things.
I really can't prove anything but one thing I know for sure it wasn't because of the scandal.
Well I dated -- wasn't just coincidental that his fiery took place in light of all the scandal was it.
That's that's what people are implicating -- Because he was fired at that time so all so so all the focus went to Joseph and the football program.
And I think the university need to stand up and take responsibility.
And start the healing process within Penn State.
So we need some leadership right now to to start this and and and if they do that the victims you know we want you know they have to start to deal.
And state need to start to heal everybody need to start -- Well of course but frankly I gotta I gotta go back -- -- -- point every day you know -- that the board of Penn State met.
They disallowed them from coaching.
-- games anymore and and you're suggesting that that had nothing to do with a scandal.
Yes I am what what what else and it had anything to do wit.
-- I am not liberty is liberty to say.
But Joseph.
Hadn't.
You know it and I've been saying -- all week.
That when when you finally learned the truth.
You'll you'll you'll see that Joseph did everything he could.
In this situation.
And and why things weren't handled.
I'll have to be you know that we found -- Well Franco we did it we did aren't -- discovered today that he has a form of lung cancers or treatable form of lung cancer is is it health related is that.
Is that why he was let go.
No no no that wouldn't be reason line usually go Joseph has said.
You know walking pneumonia -- well -- -- office often on and and colleges and I just heard a little while ago myself and you know sort of -- but one thing about Joseph and you're going to worry about him.
OK and again not this this'll be the last question is sort of but I I gotta ask -- -- if we were to ask Penn State the board of Penn State YE.
They let Joseph Paterno go they would say it has nothing to do with the scandal.
Oh my -- us.
Good luck with that everybody's been trying to find that -- -- for the last ten days and we've gotten nowhere.
No answers no time so good luck with that -- -- -- and answer from the Penn state board.
All right this is a question that everybody wants to know about what you've been saying concerning Joseph paternity do you think that Joseph Paterno did anything wrong.
No I do not and -- did everything he committed.
To.
To address this issue.
And that information will come out because what people read -- have very little bit and just would have a lot of times as you know -- These things people are never rush to judgment.
Well it certainly doesn't happen but but but we have had more evidence comment or evidence or recollection -- we had this.
This.
Infamous interview with -- asking himself that was.
Conducted by Bob -- let let me just play a little little bit of it that does relate to Joseph -- when they -- then get your reaction go ahead and play the tape.
Did Joseph Paterno at any time ever speak to you directly.
About your behavior.
-- never.
You know.
He never asked you about what you might have done he never asked you if you needed help if you needed counseling.
Not and never expressed disapproval of any kind.
So Franco -- do you think that Sam dusty did anything wrong.
-- you know I mean that's not a fair question now and and and and and 1998.
Send us view is.
Still a coaching staff.
Under Joseph Paterno.
When that happened did that and and an event happened in 98.
When all the way through local police and the DA.
And and and Joseph was was his direct superior.
Think in 1999 to university.
Not the full blown -- Joseph -- was released in 1999.
And the university.
Gave him look a contract.
For access to university.
And so locker room now that's an and I still want that -- and I still don't understand that.
This -- in 1998.
Wide to the university given him access in 1999.
I don't know -- to looking for -- answer but.
How is it conceivable that Paterno never would've said anything to send us -- about the incident about the allegations.
That stay in in 1919 in.
He was.
No longer under Joseph whatever happened there was no longer part of -- of the of the football game.
And the university dealt with everything after that so you really need to at university.
And and that's -- on -- The university need to take responsibility.
And and not keep putting the focus on Joseph and on the football program you need to focus on the university and we and we want some answers.
While we -- of course -- want answers but they have the question of whether or not Joseph Paterno.
Knew something that he wasn't relating to the police is critical now.
Oh well -- well -- you know I mean I wouldn't know that.
And and and that's something that.
I'm sure will come -- -- yesterday appropriate people but.
But like I think what you're trying to do is you're still trying to find a way to link to link -- And and I just don't understand that everybody thing Joseph it is.
All powerful.
In and he runs -- universities that's not true.
I mean believe in the university -- university administration.
-- university and there's no doubt that the president and Joseph had a run in.
And just -- on -- as as Coach.
-- you can believe that the administration Randy university.
And and but you know Joseph was a Coach of football well and that was that I go first have you have you spoken to Joseph Paterno and all in the past couple of weeks.
-- a couple of time to assess what what is he said about what's going on.
He's now a lot of talk about it.
You know -- You know.
No he's sick -- these allegations are true you know.
And and and and and also.
He's hurt you know you know giving 61 years.
To.
To this you know to the life of -- his life -- Penn State and then with three games left.
The board.
Terminated him that.
You know and what I would like you know.
Is to always get past that and for the board to rehired -- That's what really needs to be done do you think there's any -- -- happening Franco.
You know what I hope people who they can reach out to the board and -- -- -- board had some differences and there's.
He -- different things that have happened they put all that stuff aside but gave this five over 500000.
Penn State alumni.
OK we you know we need to.
Get -- get this is part and you get past putting the focus on Joseph and hopeful and had the university started.
Dealing with the issues.
And and what happened.
I don't -- -- Joseph Paterno believe as you do -- he is being fired had nothing to do with these allegations.
Well I mean -- -- asked him that question but.
But it but if I had -- guess.
I would probably say yes.
You would you would say yes and I and again there's no doubt no doubt that -- -- -- -- they -- arrested if I had to guess.
I would say yes okay I never got to from Joseph under sickening -- What is going to be happening to you now as a result of of the stance -- you're taking with regard to Joseph -- backing him up a 100% do you.
I mean we've already seen one job go by the wayside as result of that -- Your own charity.
-- major step down as as chairman what more could happen to you.
The -- in the the meadows.
You know the great people great relationship we know we just put that on hold -- and and the thing on the board of -- situation is something that we worked out where I am still on the board but how does want to remove myself.
From the chairmanship because of everything that's happening this is a very polarizing -- situation.
And and and I do think it's.
Best to me not to be -- that visible at this time so we did appoint someone that's acting chairman at this time.
Right okay Franco I I got to go but just one quick question if you an answer quickly please if aside from Joseph Paterno if anybody heard of any case are allegations of child molestation.
Do you think that they should immediately go to the police and just the police.
-- LA that's an unfair question again you know because.
Once again you're trying to implicate -- I am not trying to implicate Franco I -- just as you do if somebody should do that.
And -- into what.
If there's a process to go through.
You know people go through that process and and they as you know.
The university police to head of the university police.
Was handling this matter.
The head of the university police and value probably won't tell me well what in the local police you know the people just keep trying to find ways to connect -- -- this Jill had a very very -- -- I -- -- you know it's happening all over the country there are questions about whether certain certain athletic departments have been involved in this so it's not just Penn State it's not just Joseph Paterno.
But we got to leave it at that frankly we do appreciate your coming on.
Good to see them break up have a good weekend -- to -- to what reaction.
