Some Penn State players say their loyalty lies with the Nittany Lions
Say what you will about Penn State and coach Joe Paterno, but it's clear he molded some good men during his time at Penn State.
On Wednesday, members of the senior class spoke in a video statement with several of their teammates behind them stating that they're sticking by the university and have plans to play for Penn State in 2012.
"As a team, we don't see this as a punishment, this is an opportunity," senior running back Michael Zordich said. "This is the greatest opportunity a Penn Stater could ever be given. We have an obligation to Penn State and we have the ability to fight for not just a team, not just a program, but for an entire university and every man that wore the blue and white on that gridiron before us. We are going to embrace this opportunity and we're going to make something very special happen in 2012."
Added senior linebacker Michael Mauti: "This program was not built by one man and this program sure as hell is not going to get torn down by one man."
The NCAA placed Penn State on severe sanctions Monday, including a four-year postseason ban and dropping the team's scholarships to 65. The NCAA also gave current Penn State players the opportunity to transfer anywhere and be eligible to play this season. That has led to courting by several coaches across the country.
Among those being courted is star running back Silas Redd, who is in talks with USC. Silas has yet to announce his decision and it's difficult to tell whether he's among the players in the video.
However, the players who took a stand on the football practice fields Wednesday wanted to make sure the country saw there was still some unity at Penn State.
"I'm personally calling out every member of Nittany Nation, all the students, faculty, fan and family members, alumni, everybody that there is," Zordich said. "Please come support us through this because we need you just as much as you need us and together we're going to get through this thing until the end."
- - -
"Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday
