The world of college football was rocked this week by the news that two former Penn State players, Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys, have been charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl. But the controversy took an unexpected turn when head coach James Franklin abruptly walked away from reporters during a press conference when asked about the situation.
Now, Coach Franklin is apologizing for how he handled those questions. “I didn’t do a great job of handling Wednesday,” Franklin admitted after Penn State’s victory over Wisconsin on Saturday. “Difficult, difficult situation and I got to own that I did not do a good job of that.”
The Charges Against Lyons and Keys
According to police, the alleged assault took place on July 7 in the apartment Lyons and Keys shared. Lyons, a 19-year-old defensive end, is charged with felony rape, aggravated assault without consent, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse, and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent and invasion of privacy without consent.
Keys, a 19-year-old linebacker, faces charges of felony rape, aggravated assault without consent, sexual assault, and misdemeanor indecent assault without consent. Both players were suspended from the team in August after Penn State learned of the allegations.
“We are aware of the serious charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” a Penn State spokesperson said in a statement. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very seriously and investigates any and all reports.”
Franklin’s Controversial Press Conference
It was during a press conference on Wednesday that Franklin first faced questions about the case. When a reporter began asking about it, Franklin walked away from the microphone as a university spokesperson read a prepared statement: “Regarding the two former Penn State football players, we released a statement yesterday and our program and athletics department will have no further comment.”
Another reporter then tried to ask Franklin about dismissing the players, but the coach walked away again without answering. The abrupt exit and refusal to comment drew sharp criticism from many who felt Franklin had mishandled a serious issue.
A Heartfelt Apology
Clearly feeling the heat, Franklin took a different approach after Saturday’s game, offering a candid apology. “I didn’t do a good job there,” he admitted. “I’m trying to get better like everybody else in a difficult situation. .. I apologize.”
The coach acknowledged the validity of the questions and the public’s right to answers, even if legal considerations limited what he could say. “I respect that,” Franklin said of the reporters’ inquiries. “The reality is there’s not a whole lot more I can say other than that (university’s) statement. It’s an ongoing legal situation and it’s challenging. It’s challenging on everybody.”
The apology may help quell some of the furor over Franklin’s initial response. But with two of his former players facing such grave charges, the Penn State program remains squarely in the spotlight as this case unfolds. It’s a stark reminder of the weighty responsibilities that come with being a leader of young men, both on and off the field.
As one of college football’s most prominent coaches, Franklin’s every word and action resonates loudly. His apology shows he understands that and is committed to handling this painful situation with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves. But regaining public trust will be a long process for both Franklin and Penn State, as they grapple with a scandal that strikes at the very heart of the sport’s integrity.
