ESPN Joe Paterno documentary 'The Paterno Legacy' set to air on Monday
ESPN is set to premiere its E60 documentary on the late Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, The Paterno Legacy, on Monday, April 18 at 8 p.m., the network announced on Tuesday morning.
Produced by Michael Sciallo, ESPN says the program will look at Paterno’s legacy 10 years after the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
Below is an excerpt of the description of the program provided by ESPN:
“For so many, Paterno was a hero. He was the winningest coach in major college football history and a two-time national champion. He was “Joe Pa,” celebrated as much for the lives he shaped off the field as the wins that he tallied on it.
“Paterno’s legacy was secure – until it wasn’t. The allegations of sexual abuse of minors leveled against former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky in the fall of 2011 cast a dark shadow on the university, the football program, and Paterno. The legendary coach was cast out and his legacy, which he had spent decades building, was in tatters.”
ESPN reporters turned up at Penn State’s football facility for a post-practice media session with James Franklin last season. Their intentions weren’t clear at the time, but now it’s apparent they were reporting on this documentary.
“I was just wondering if you could share your thoughts on Joe Paterno and what his legacy means to Penn State,” one reporter asked.
Franklin declined once, then a second time a few minutes later when he was pressed.
“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.”
ESPN says the documentary includes an interview with Sandusky from prison, where he is serving a 30-to-60-year sentence. He was convicted on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.
The list of other sources interviewed for the documentary also includes:
Jay Paterno – son of Joe Paterno.
Graham Spanier – former Penn State University president.
Gary Schultz — former Senior Vice-President Finance and Business, Penn State University.
Matt McGloin — Penn State player under Joe Paterno, 2009-2011.
Mike Wallace — Penn State player under Joe Paterno, 2009-2011.
Matt Millen — NFL Broadcaster, executive, player; Penn State player under Paterno, 1976-79.
Aaron Fisher — “Victim 1” in the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse case.
Tom Kline — attorney representing “Victim 5” in Sandusky sex-abuse case.
Mark Dyreson — Co-Director, Penn State Center for the Study of Sports in Society.
Bob Costas — sports anchor and journalist.
Howard Bryant — author and sports journalist.
