Jerry Sandusky Denies Allegations in Interview

Bob Costas interviews Jerry Sandusky (NBC)

Alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky told Bob Costas Monday night that he’s not sexually attracted to young boys and proclaimed his innocence during the phone interview that was aired on NBC’s news magazine show “Rock Center.”

“I say that I am innocent of those charges,” said Sandusky, who is charged with sexually abusing eight boys during a 15-year period. “I could say that I have done some of those things: I have horsed around with kids, I have showered after workouts, I have hugged them and I have touched their leg without intent of sexual contact.”

While the former defensive coordinator of Penn State was being peppered with questions during the nearly 10-minute interview with Costas, Sandusky’s lawyer was in studio to also answer questions about his client.

During the interview, Sandusky denied performing oral sex on young boys—just one of the grotesque sexual acts that Sandusky is alleged to have done in the 23-page grand jury report that was released. Legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno was fired amid allegations that Sandusky sexually abused children from his Second Mile foundation. Three top Penn State officials, athletic director Tim Curley, vice president Gary Schultz, and president of the university, Graham B. Spanier all have stepped down. Curley and Schultz have been charged with failing to notify authorities after they were told of the assault. And on Sunday, Jack Raykovitz, the CEO of the Second Mile resigned because of the allegations that continue to rock Penn State.

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Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on Monday that 10 more victims have come forward to authorities since Sandusky was arrested 10 days ago.

Despite the latest reports, Sandusky said the eyewitness reports contained in the grand jury report are false. When asked what the motive is to lie about him abusing a young boy in the shower of the Penn State locker room, Sandusky said, “You’d have to ask him that.”

But Sandusky did say he and the boy were showering “and horsing around,” and the slapping noises that were heard were actually the snapping of towels, not sexual contact.

He told Costas that Paterno never talked to him directly about his behavior and never asked about any innapropriate behavior by Sandusky.

“How would you think that I would feel about a university that I attended?” he said in response to questions about the university where he coached. “About people that I’ve worked with, about people that I care so much about? How do you think I would feel about it? I feel horrible.”

“In retrospect I shouldn’t have showered with those kids…that’s what hits me the most,” he continued.

“Am I sexually attracted to underage boys?” Sandusky added. “Sexually attracted, I enjoy young people, I love to be around them, but no, I’m not sexually attracted to young boys.”