Former Penn State quarterback and current ESPN analyst Todd Blackledge defended his alma mater Thursday on Twitter in light of reports from Yahoo Sports and Sports Illustrated about improprieties at college football programs. And while Blackledge is correct in that pay-for-play allegations haven't haunted Penn State, he missed the mark widely.
The more allegations I hear about in CFB,the more convinced I am that there NEVER was a football culture problem at Penn State. #Truth#WeAre
— Todd Blackledge (@Todd_Blackledge) September 12, 2013
Simply put, the sexual abuse scandal that encompassed Penn State was a football problem. It resulted in scholarship losses, a bowl ban, and the dismissal of legendary coach Joe Paterno, who didn't immediately go to authorities when he first heard of accusations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Sandusky was convicted on 45 of 48 counts of sexually assaulting 10 boys and is currently serving 30-60 years in a Pennsylvania prison.
Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that five SEC players received over $45,000 from five agents through intermediary Luther Davis, a former Alabama defensive end. This week, Sports Illustrated is running a five piece series on Oklahoma State, covering academic issues, drug use and other reported improprieties. In SI's report, football coaches were well aware of everything that was transpiring. Just like Penn State officials were about what was going on with their former defensive coordinator. Players don't have to be involved just to make it a "football culture problem."
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