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In the face of shocking child sex-abuse allegations against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, there are some former Nittany Lions players who are stepping into the fray to offer support to the former coach.
Sam Stellatella, a three-position player for the Nittany Lions in the 50s, has donated money to Sandusky’s defense fund and urged other former players to do the same.
''I told him he's going to need a million dollars to defend himself,'' the 73-year-old Stellatella said. ''He called me back and said, 'What am I going to do with this money?' I said, 'Use it for your lawyer because you're going to need it.'''
Stellatella sent Sandusky $100. He wrote personal letters to other members of the 1959 Liberty Bowl team that defeated a Bear Bryant-coached Alabama team and asked they also donate. He does not know how much money was raised.
''I know some of the guys sent money,'' he told The Associated Press. ''Here's the thing, these are horrendous charges against him. But he's still entitled to his day in court. Everybody's prejudged him. He's done horrendous damage to Paterno and (athletic director Tim) Curley and the football program. I don't listen to the news and I don't read the reports of what he did because I would get too upset.
''But he's still entitled to his day in court.''
