Nike pulls Joe Paterno name off child care center

July 13, 2012 - 10:27 am | Category: National

Nike announced Thursday that it will change the name of the Joe Paterno Child Development Center, in wake of the Louis Freeh investigation that found that late Penn State football coach and other university officials disregarded the welfare of Jerry Sandusky’s child molestation victims by covering up his crimes.

Nike founder Phil Knight originally defended Paterno, saying at his memorial service in January, “If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation, and not in Joe Paterno’s response.” But today, Knight released a statement that said, in part, “According to the investigation, it appears Joe made missteps that led to heartbreaking consequences. I missed that Joe missed it, and I am extremely saddened on this day. My love for Joe and his family remains.”

There is also talk that a statue of Paterno at Penn State may be removed.