Emotions high for Paterno's former players

While news of the sexual-abuse scandal at Penn State has disturbed just about everyone who has heard it, it's had a deeper impact on those who played there under Joe Paterno.

"You don't expect anything like that to happen," said Giants tackle Kareem McKenzie, who was at Penn State in the late 1990s and 2000. "From what I knew of Jerry [Sandusky] when I was there, he's a great guy, devoted coach, and it's unfortunate that this has come about."

Said Jets linebacker Aaron Maybin, who played at Penn State from 2007-08: "I'm really sad, I'm really shocked. It's something that is really unfortunate and sad and you wish had gone a different way."

Sandusky and two top Penn State officials were arrested and Paterno has been criticized for not doing more to stop the alleged abuse. Wednesday Paterno issued a statement saying he will retire at the end of the season, but last night the school's board of trustees announced his firing. McKenzie said the scandal should not overshadow Paterno's long career.

"I don't think it really does [tarnish his legacy]," McKenzie said. "From what I know of the situation, it doesn't involve Joe. I don't have all the information and we'll have to wait and see what happens . . . It's just sad that things have turned out this way."

Said Maybin: "All I can say is that it's a very sad thing and it's going to take a while for people to get over it."

Giants tight end Jake Ballard played at Ohio State and speaking before Paterno was fired, noted the contrast between his former coach, Jim Tressel, being forced out, and Paterno possibly being allowed to stay.

"It's a crazy world we live in, right?" Ballard said. "Obviously free tattoos and you get some money here or there [compared with] all that stuff that's going on there . . . it doesn't seem right."

McKenzie said he has not been in close contact with Paterno in recent years. Maybin, who graduated more recently, said he has not tried to contact Paterno since news broke on Saturday.

"Anyone who has been watching the news right now can see how hard he is to reach," Maybin said. "That's not what he needs. He doesn't need someone else [calling him.] Everyone who has played for Joe, he knows he has guys in his corner supporting him."

They may support Paterno, but they also made it clear that they do not support the actions -- or the inactions -- that have caused such public scorn.

"This is not a situation where it was a mistake or anything of that nature," McKenzie said. "We're talking about young children who were allegedly taken advantage of . . .You would like to go ahead and think that in today's world and today's society that we would like to protect our kids and give them the best chances and opportunities to be successful."

With Barbara Barker