ESPN releases Penn State football, Joe Paterno trailer for E60 doc
The timing wasn’t immediately evident at Penn State’s Nov. 17 post-practice interview with head coach James Franklin.
Surrounded by reporters just outside Holuba Hall, Franklin was asked about former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno.
“I was just wondering if you could share your thoughts on Joe Paterno and what his legacy means to Penn State,” a reporter asked.
Franklin, silent while patiently absorbing the question, offered his response.
“I’m happy to talk about Rutgers, this week, this game,” Franklin said. “So if you have any questions about that, I’d be more than happy to discuss them.”
However, the thrust behind the question from ESPN reporter John Barr further took shape this week. Released via Tweet Sunday afternoon, documentary series E60 unveiled a two minute trailer for “The Paterno Legacy.”
Within it, clips of interviews with Paterno are shown and the totality of his career at Penn State is examined. That includes his final days coaching the program, notable Nittany Lions who played for him. And, of course, the child sexual abuse scandal of Jerry Sandusky takes center stage.
Additionally, new interviews appear to have been conducted with Paterno’s son and former assistant coach, Jay. Also included in the documentary appears to be a phone interview with Sandusky from prison.
The documentary is set to air on ESPN on Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
New trailer revealed for Joe Paterno documentary
However, Franklin’s interaction with the reporter wasn’t the last on that November night.
Shortly thereafter, Franklin was also asked about his refusal to talk about Paterno’s legacy at Penn State.
“What we’re talking about right now is the current program and what’s going on,” Franklin said. “The game against Rutgers this week, and the things that are affecting our program right now.”
Paterno’s Penn State legacy
A head coach at Penn State from 1966 until 2011, Paterno amassed 409 wins, 136 losses, and three ties. In bowls, he finished with 24 wins, 12 losses and a tie.
Five times, Paterno-coached Penn State teams went undefeated, twice winning national championships in 1982 and 1986.
The documentary is the latest in a series of major productions examining Paterno’s career and the scandal that ended it.
HBO produced a feature-length biographical drama entitled “Paterno” starring Al Pacino as the late coach. And, in 2021, a documentary called “Saving the Roar” was released. It featured the story of Penn State football’s response to the scandal and its fallout during the 2012 season.
