Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Graham Spanier Denies Turning ‘Blind Eye’ To Abuse In Letter To Penn State Trustees

Following the announcement of the NCAA’s sanctions against Penn State for the university’s failure to properly handle the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, former university president Graham Spainer has sent a letter to the Board of Trustees in which he denies that he turned a blind eye to abuse. Spainer says that he was never informed that Sandusky sexually abused a child when Tim Curley mentioned Sandusky’s misconduct to him, and says that, as a victim of abuse himself, he would have done more if he knew Sandusky was abusing children.

“It is unfathomable and illogical to think ... someone who experienced massive and persistent abuse as a child,” Spanier said in a reference to himself, “... would have knowingly turned a blind eye to a report of child abuse.”

Spainer also attacked the Freeh Report for what he thought were misrepresentations of his actions. He also informed the Board of Trustees that he would make himself available for any questions that they have regarding his handling of the Sandusky scandal.

For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, SB Nation Pittsburgh and SB Nation Philly.

See More:

More in General

GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
An SB Nation New Yorker needs our helpAn SB Nation New Yorker needs our help
GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
General
Sabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world recordSabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world record
General

The mythical two-hour mark was broken at the London Marathon.

By Bernd Buchmasser
A Huge Dog
THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1
Play
General
Super Bowl 60 coin toss resultsSuper Bowl 60 coin toss results
General

The Seahawks and Patriots will open the Super Bowl with the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. We have the full coin toss results for Super Bowl 60.

By David Fucillo
General
Marc Marquez completes a comeback for the agesMarc Marquez completes a comeback for the ages
General

MotoGP’s Marc Marquez completed a comeback for the ages with his 2025 title

By Mark Schofield
General
How to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search resultsHow to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search results