Watch CBS News

Bob Costas Talks About Sandusky Interview With Tafoya

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Sports broadcaster Bob Costas said he was offered an interview with accused child abuser Jerry Sandusky just minutes before he was to interview Sandusky's lawyer.

Costas was a guest Tuesday on WCCO Radio's Michele Tafoya, less than 24 hours after he snagged the first interview with Sandusky since the former Penn State football coach was charged with sexually abusing children.

WCCO's Michele Tafoya Interviews Bob Costas

Podcast

The controversy surrounding the accusations have tarnished the Penn State football program and led to the dismissal of legendary coach Joe Paterno.

Costas told Tafoya that he had agreed to an interview last week with Sandusky's attorney Joseph Amendola. But Costas said moments before the interview was set to tape, Amendola offered up his client.

"Amendola himself said to me, 'What if I could get Jerry Sandusky on the phone, would you be interested in that?'" Costas said. "The answer was, 'Of course.'"

As to why Sandusky would do such an interview given the case against him, Costas said he asked that question to Sandusky's attorney.

"He said he felt his client had already been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion," Costas said of Amendola's response. "Anything that might potentially, at least he hoped, humanize (Sandusky) would have to be an improvement over the atmosphere that was out there before (Sandusky) went on the air."

Costas said it's doubtful that it was successful based on Sandusky's responses.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.