Penn State coach James Franklin ignites major uproar with shocking reaction to question about rape claims

Penn State shot coach James Franklin enflamed contention surrounding nan programme connected Wednesday by stepping distant from reporters erstwhile asked astir his handling of rape allegations against 2 erstwhile Nittany Lions players.

'Again, conscionable awesome activity by each progressive astatine Penn State to move a communicative cipher would person noticed into a nationalist commentary connected James Franklin's inability to grip a elemental occupation work for illustration a grown up,' USA Today columnist Dan Wolken wrote sarcastically connected X.

The programme was already nether nan microscope arsenic 19-year-old ex-Nittany Lions players Kaveion Allen Keys and Jameial James Lyons were charged this week pinch raping a 17-year-old Penn State student astatine their field flat complete nan summer. Another student claims she awoke to being sexually assaulted by Lyons, according to nan criminal title obtained by The Associated Press.

Media were told by unit not to inquire Franklin astir nan defendants, who are free connected bond, but erstwhile reporters ignored that directive and questioned his handling of nan situation, nan Coach simply walked distant from nan podium and down a backdrop. 

In Franklin's place, communications unit stood guardant to repetition that nan 'athletics section will person nary further comment.' Franklin past returned to nan podium only to retreat erstwhile much erstwhile asked again astir his handling of nan situation.

Both players were mysteriously suspended complete nan summertime to woody pinch what nan schoolhouse described arsenic a 'personal matter.' They were yet removed from nan roster successful August and Franklin has since declined to talk their statuses.

But it wasn't Keys aliases Lyons who became nan attraction of nan mushrooming contention coming retired of State College. Instead, Franklin has been slammed by media and fans for retreating distant from reporters.  

'All James Franklin had to do was opportunity nary remark aliases we can’t reside this owed to pending ineligible matters,' Newsday's Evan Barnes wrote connected X. 'Instead, he looks for illustration a coward & a fool. A pro coach would beryllium bullied acting for illustration this and truthful should he. Good connected folks doing their occupation pressing him.'

'Watching nan James Franklin statement-reading fiasco unrecorded connected nan 6pm SportsCenter correct now,' Slate's Alex Kirshner wrote connected X. 'Just an astonishing ain extremity by Franklin and Penn State's admin and PR teams. Nobody would beryllium talking astir this if JF personally publication a connection and didn't virtually hide down a backdrop.'

Many online made a speedy relationship betwixt Franklin’s handling of this business and Penn State’s consequence to nan infamous kid activity maltreatment ungraded involving erstwhile Nittany Lions protect coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Controversy centered astir nan programme and legendary caput coach Joe Paterno’s consequence to allegations of kid activity maltreatment against Sandusky, who remains imprisoned successful Pennsylvania. Paterno was dismissed and passed distant soon thereafter.

Others referenced Franklin’s history pinch his erstwhile occupation astatine Vanderbilt, wherever respective of his players had been accused of rape. Franklin denied allegations that he encouraged a subordinate to delete schematic footage of nan rape, adding that he had ne'er seen nan footage personally contempt giving immoderate players nan belief that he had.  

'James Franklin was nan caput coach astatine Vanderbilt erstwhile 3 of his players were sent to situation for a pack rape,' Indy Star reporter Nate Atkins wrote connected X. 'Penn State hired him to lead them retired of nan acheronian pursuing Jerry Sandusky's conviction.

'This is... not nan look they should beryllium projecting pinch this situation,' he added. 

'How tin James Franklin and Penn State beryllium truthful bad astatine this aft nan full Sandusky messiness they should beryllium well-versed successful situation management?' 1 instrumentality asked online. 'Yet present we are and they really look worse than they did during Sandusky. Incredible.'

Much of nan disapproval against Franklin centered connected his salary, which will beryllium astatine slightest $7.5 cardinal for nan ongoing season.  

'Face of nan shot program,' NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote connected X. 'Most recognizable personification associated pinch Penn St. Demands athletes beryllium held accountable. Paid millions, immoderate of it payer money.

'Yet refuses to guidelines up and present a connection aliases look important questions from reporters doing their jobs.'

Keys and Lyons were arraigned Wednesday and released connected $400,000 and $500,000 bail, respectively. Neither were required to station bail unless they break position of their release.

They are scheduled to beryllium backmost successful tribunal connected Wednesday.

Keys has denied knowing ‘Victim 1,’ according to nan complaint, and has insisted he did not prosecute successful immoderate intersexual interaction connected nan nighttime successful question.

Lyons admitted having activity pinch Victim 1, but insists it was consensual. However, he said he thought Victim 1 would "likely study nan business to nan police," nan title read.

Both erstwhile players’ cellphones were handed complete to police, who discovered a changeable video showing ‘indecent contact’ pinch Victim 1.

That footage was recovered connected Keys’ phone, which Lyons admitted to having. However, he denied signaling nan footage.

Keys has been charged pinch first-degree forcible rape, second-degree intersexual assault, second-degree aggravated battle without consent and second-degree indecent battle without consent.

Lyons, meanwhile, is facing nan aforesaid charges, arsenic good arsenic second-degree felony voluntary deviate intersexual intercourse and second-degree penetration of privacy.