Former Penn State player sends money to Jerry Sandusky

Sam Stellatella, who played football for Penn State in the 1950s, has donated money to Jerry Sandusky's defense and urged other former players to do the same.

Sandusky, a longtime Nittany Lions defensive coordinator, was charged with sexually abusing eight boys during a 15-year period.

"I told him he's going to need a million dollars to defend himself," Stellatella, who sent $100, told the Associated Press. "He called me back and said, 'What am I going to do with this money?' I said, 'Use it for your lawyer because you're going to need it.' "

FULL COVERAGE: Jerry Sandusky scandal

Stellatella also said he wrote letters to some of his former teammates and asked they also send money to Sandusky.

"I know some of the guys sent money," Stellatella said. "Here's the thing, these are horrendous charges against him. But he's still entitled to his day in court. Everybody's prejudged him. He's done horrendous damage to [Coach Joe] Paterno and [athletic director Tim] Curley and the football program.

"I don't listen to the news and I don't read the reports of what he did because I would get too upset. But he's still entitled to his day in court."

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-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Jerry Sandusky. Credit: Harry Cabluck / Associated Press.