Paterno declares troubled Hoboken native will start, despite legal woes
Penn State head coach Joe Paterno addressed the media at the annual Big Ten Media Day in Chicago on Wednesday and wasn’t shy when asked about Hoboken’s Rashard Casey‘s status as the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback.
With full knowledge of the legal troubles that Casey faces due to a felony assault charge against him for an incident outside a Hoboken bar, Paterno said that he will continue to start Casey, even if he is indicted on the charges against an off-duty Hoboken police officer.
"I’m going to play Rashard Casey until something convinces me I shouldn’t," Paterno told the media, as reported by Associated Press. "People are wondering if I’m spending sleepless nights worrying about what’s going to happen. There’s nothing I can do about anything right now and I’m not going to do anything right now. There’s no reason to do anything right now. I’m just going to let it go for now."
The 22-year-old Casey was arrested in May on charges that he assaulted off-duty officer Patrick Fitzsimmons in an early morning incident outside the River Street Tavern – in a case that has been reported as being racially motivated, although representatives for Casey vehemently deny those reports.
The incident is still under investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if there is enough evidence to indict Casey on the charges.
Paterno has been under scrutiny ever since word of Casey’s arrest filtered to Happy Valley, Pa. He has been accused of placing winning at all costs ahead of discipline by members of the college football media, but has also been known in the past to be a very fair individual, who handles legal matters individually.
"If I told you all that I had one hard and fast rule, I think you’d be looking at one lousy human being," Paterno said. "Every situation is different. I just hope and expect he will be exonerated when all of the facts are examined."
Right now, the Nittany Lions really do not have a backup quarterback. Sophomore Matt Sennecca is listed as the team’s No. 2 quarterback on the current depth chart – and he’s thrown only two passes in his career. If the Nittany Lions are expected to be a contender for a national championship this season, or even a bowl game, it has to be with Casey at the helm.
Casey played in every game last year for the 10-3 Lions, who started the season off 9-0 and were ranked No. 1 in the nation until they fell on hard times, losing three straight games. They rebounded to defeat Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl, a game in which Casey was named the Most Valuable Player. Casey rushed for 290 yards and threw for 856 yards last season.
Paterno was also asked if the pending charges and possible indictment could hurt Casey’s mental approach.
"I don’t know," Paterno said. "I’ve never had legal problems. We’re going to give him all the support he needs to get through the tough times."
Casey and the Nittany Lions will begin their season Aug. 27 in the Kickoff Classic against Southern California at Giants Stadium. It’s safe to say that all eyes will be upon the talented Hoboken native that day.