Former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno had to be prodded by his family to read the grand jury report regarding Jerry Sandusky and did not understand some of its graphic terminology, according to a new book released on Tuesday.
The book, “Paterno,” by Joe Posnanski, was purchased Friday by The Associated Press in advance of its release.
In the book, Posnanski describes a scene at Paterno’s home, two days after Sandusky had been charged last November. Paterno’s family and a close adviser were trying to explain to the coach that there was a growing sentiment that Paterno must have known for years about the accusations against Sandusky.
The book quotes Paterno as shouting, “I’m not omniscient!”
The book also indicates Paterno didn’t comprehend all the terms in the report, asking his son what sodomy meant.
Paterno sobbed when he met with his coaches and a former player the day after he was fired from Penn State, according to an excerpt published in GQ magazine.
Paterno told Posnanski, “You know what? I’m not going to feel sorry for myself. I’ve lived a great life. Healthy children, grandchildren, loving wife. I look around the world and see people who have real problems. I’m the luckiest guy.”
Paterno was fired in November amid the fallout from the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Paterno died in January at age 85.
