20 biggest sports scandals of all-time

18. Penn State sex abuse scandal

The Penn State sex abuse scandal rocked college football and incurred a serious black eye on the legacy of one of the greatest coaches in the sport’s history.

Joe Paterno was thought of as a lovable and legendary coach throughout the majority of his career, but a grand jury report released on November 4, 2011 would change all of that. As it turned out, one of his longtime assistant coaches, Jerry Sandusky, had been sexually assaulting young boys under his watch since the 1990s. Even worse, Paterno had been aware of the accusations for nearly a decade.

The assaults began in 1994, with the first investigation by university police occurring in 1998. The following year, Sandusky retired. Despite his retirement, however, he was still given full access to the university and football program. The assaults continued, with a graduate assistant, Mike McQueary informing Paterno in 2002 of an incident he witnessed firsthand in the Penn State football building.

The head coach informed Athletic Director Tim Curley of the incident. No legal action was taken, although his access to the building was restricted.

An investigation into Sandusky that began in 2008 would eventually lead to the grand jury findings. Ultimately, Paterno and President Graham Spanier were fired in 2011 as a result, and the football program was handed down severe punishments by the NCAA (which were later reduced). Sandusky will be behind bars for the rest of his life.

Penn State has rebounded from the scandal in recent years, but the atrocities that members of the university could have helped prevent will never be forgotten.

Next: 17. Danny Almonte and the 2001 Bronx Little League team