Harris reinstated as charity chairman

Published Dec. 8, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

NFL Hall of Famer and Penn State great Franco Harris has been reinstated as the chairman of a Pittsburgh scholarship foundation, less than a month after he stepped down from the job after drawing criticism for his support of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno amid a child sex abuse scandal.

The Pittsburgh Promise board voted Wednesday to reinstate Harris as chairman. He'd stepped down as board chairman on Nov. 17 after Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl complained about Harris' statements backing Paterno.

Harris said previously his support for Paterno should not be considered an endorsement of former coach Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky is facing 50 counts of child sex abuse involving 10 young boys.

Ravenstahl says Harris showed he understands the importance of sensitivity as chairman of a scholarship program.