Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight Releases Statement Supporting Joe Paterno

The Paterno family felt it necessary to get back in the national spotlight when they released their own report as an answer to the Freeh Report on Sunday. Unfortunately, the story is growing as tired as the “Tim Tebow for Pope” jokes being passed along on Twitter, but that hasn’t stopped Nike co-founder Phil Knight from chiming back in on the Penn State scandal and showing his support for Joe Paterno.

Knight released a statement following the Paterno’s report. Knight has called the Freeh report “unjustified and unsubstantiated” and said that the NCAA was “simply grandstanding” when they slapped Penn State with their “totally unwarranted” sanctions.

Here is Paterno’s statement:

“Last July I was surprised and saddened by the Freeh Report and the subsequent press conference held by the former FBI Director,” Knight said in the statement. “In response to the shocking findings, which were so definitively and passionately presented, and based on the reputation of Louis Freeh, I issued a statement which said in part, ‘According to the investigation, it appears Joe made missteps that led to heartbreaking consequences. I missed that Joe missed it, and I am extremely saddened on this day.’

“I made this statement without having read the report in full. When I later took the time to do so, I was surprised to learn that the alarming allegations, which so disturbed the nation, were essentially theories and assertions rather than solid charges backed by solid evidence. On reflection I may have unintentionally contributed to a rush to judgment.”

Knight has supported Paterno since the beginning of the scandal, so it is no surprise that he has come out in support of the late head coach. While the Paterno family may feel obligated to clear JoePa’s name, I think we can all agree that it is time for them to take a seat and let the professionals handle investigations.