PoliticsPenn State ScandalPoliticsjerry-sandusky-scandal

Obama: NCAA Penn State Sanctions 'Appropriate' In Sandusky Scandal

Obama Weighs In On Penn State Scandal
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WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said the NCAA penalties imposed on Penn State University for the school's failure to stop football coach Jerry Sandusky's sexual abuse of children were "appropriate" punishment.

The NCAA, the governing body of U.S. college sports, fined Penn State $60 million and voided its football victories for the past 14 seasons in an unprecedented rebuke last month over the Sandusky scandal.

"I think it was appropriate to send a message," Obama told Ohio sports radio station "The Fan" in an interview conducted on Wednesday during a campaign trip to the election battleground state and broadcast on Thursday.

"We have to make sure we're always looking after our kids and we have an affirmative responsibility to make sure we're preventing predators from taking advantage of them," he said.

NCAA President Mark Emmert said on July 23 that the school had put "hero worship and winning at all costs" ahead of integrity, honesty and responsibility.

Penn State was not given the so-called death penalty that could have suspended its football program, but it was banned from lucrative post-season games for four years and had the number of scholarships available to players reduced from 25 to 15.

Penn State officials were accused of not taking action after being alerted that Sandusky, a former assistant football coach, was sexually abusing children.

The scandal tainted one of college football's leading coaches, the late Joe Paterno, and led to his firing last year along with other top school officials. Sandusky was convicted in June of child molestation.

Asked whether the punishment for Penn State "fit the crime," Obama said: "I think it does."

"Obviously Joe Paterno was a great football coach," he said. "But some things are just more important than sports. Making sure our kids are safe is more important than sports." (Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Andrew Hay)

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Before You Go

Barack Obama's Greatest Hits
Birth Certificate -- "Born In The USA"(01 of10)
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(April 27, 2011) -- The White House released President Barack Obama's "long form" birth certificate, adding documentation to a longstanding discussion over his ability to serve as commander in chief. "We do not have time for this kind of silliness," Obama said. "We have better stuff to do. I have got better stuff to do. We have got big problems to solve." (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Osama Bin Laden Killed -- "Tonight, Tonight"(02 of10)
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(May 1, 2011) -- In a televised address to the nation, Obama announces that Osama bin Laden is dead. His death was the result of a U.S. operation launched today in Abbottabad, Pakistan, against a compound where bin Laden was believed to be hiding. "[T]oday's achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people," Obama proclaimed. (Photo by Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Debt Ceiling Deal -- "Gold On The Ceiling"(03 of10)
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(Aug. 2, 2011) -- After the Senate passed a bill to raise the debt limit, Obama pleaded with Congress to shift their attention to jobs. "I will urge them to immediately take some steps -- bipartisan, common-sense steps -- that will make a difference; that will create a climate where businesses can hire, where folks have more money in their pockets to spend, where people who are out of work can find good jobs," he said. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Don't Ask Don't Tell -- "Don't Stop Believin'"(04 of10)
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(Sept. 20, 2011) -- As the ban on gays serving in the military came to an end, Obama hailed the fresh start, celebrating the fact that "patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love." (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Iraq War To End -- "Homeward Bound"(05 of10)
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(Oct. 21, 2011) -- Obama announced that all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by 2011, fulfilling a promise that dated back to his campaign. "As a candidate for president, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end," Obama said. "So today I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year." (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"(06 of10)
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(Jan. 20, 2012) -- During a fundraiser at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, Obama delivered a memorable musical message to his donors. With Rev. Al Green in attendance, Obama sang part of Green's hit song "Let's Stay Together," drawing strong applause from the crowd. (credit:CNN)
Singing Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" (07 of10)
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(Feb. 21, 2012) -- Days after his Al Green rendition, Obama flexed his vocal chords again with a hometown favorite. The East Room of the White House had its blues fix filled when the president started swinging "Sweet Home Chicago." (credit:PBS)
Gay Marriage -- "Can't Fight This Feeling" (08 of10)
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(May 9, 2012) -- In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama explained his evolution on the issue, affirming his support for gay marriage. "[A]t a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said. (credit:ABC)
Immigration -- "With Arms Wide Open"(09 of10)
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(June 15, 2012) -- The Obama administration addressed America's immigration issue, announcing that it will halt deportations and grant work permits to young individuals eligible for Dream-Act benefits. "They pledge allegiance to our flag," Obama said. "They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper."(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Health Care Reform -- "Beautiful Day" (10 of10)
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(June 28, 2012) -- After weeks of speculation that Obama's signature piece of legislation could be overturned, the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate is constitutional. "It should be pretty clear that I didn't do this because it's good politics," Obama said. "I did it because it's good for the country." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
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