It turns out there was more to Bob Costas’ interview with Jerry Sandusky than what originally aired last November.
From MSNBC:
Pennsylvania prosecutors may seek to use unaired portions of an NBC News interview with Jerry Sandusky in November in which the former Penn State defensive coach said, “I didn’t go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I’ve helped.”
The unaired portions of the “Rock Center with Brian Williams” interview– conducted by NBC Sports host Bob Costas — could become an issue this week as Sandusky’s lawyers start presenting their defense to charges that he repeatedly abused 10 young boys over a 15 year period.
CenterDaily News.com has the full transcript of the interview. It includes this passage:
BOB COSTAS:
19:00:28:00 But isn’t what you’re just describing the classic MO of many pedophiles? And that is that they gain the trust of young people, they don’t necessarily abuse every young person. There were hundreds, if not thousands of young boys you came into contact with, but there are allegations that at least eight of them were victimized. Many people believe there are more to come. So it’s entirely possible that you could’ve helped young boy A in some way that was not objectionable while horribly taking advantage of young boy B, C, D, and E. Isn’t that possible?
JERRY SANDUSKY:
19:01:01:00 Well — you might think that. I don’t know. (LAUGHS) In terms of — my relationship with so many, many young people. I would — I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward. Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and — and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life. And I didn’t go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I’ve helped. There are many that I didn’t have — I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways.
Why did that passage wind up on the cutting room floor?
CNN’s Anderson Cooper is among those wondering the same thing. He said in a tweet:
@andersoncooperI can’t believe the
#Sandusky statement to Bob Costas that never aired. Did it sound as shocking to you as it did to me?!@AC360
More tomorrow.