The Penn State University community was shaken after former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on multiple charges of sexual abuse of young boys on Nov. 5, 2011. The scandal prompted the firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno and the resignation of University president Graham Spanier. Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president for finance an business Gary Schultz were charged with perjury. These photographs document the emotional and chaotic eight days that followed the arrest of Sandusky.
The captains of the Penn State football team link arms in solidarity as they lead the squad onto the field of Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, instead of running onto the field as usual. From left to right are Derek Moye (6), Quinn Barham (67), Devon Still (71) and Drew Astorino (28). The change in entrance was in response to the removal of head coach Joe Paterno by the school’s Board of Trustees three days earlier during the first week of the child sex abuse scandal that began a week prior. The scandal began with the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky following numerous allegations that he had abused young boys over several years. Sandusky retired after the 1999 football season.