Nike takes Paterno's name off child care facility

By The Associated Press Published: Jul 12, 2012 at 10:54 AM PDT
Nike takes Paterno's name off child care facility
In this Oct. 22, 2011 file photo, Penn State coach Joe Paterno stands on the field before his team's game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill.

BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) - The president of Nike Inc. says he has decided to change the name of the Joe Paterno Child Development Center, a child care facility at the company's headquarters.

CEO Mark Parker said Thursday he was deeply saddened by the news coming of the Louis Freeh investigation on the child sex abuse scandal at Penn State.

Freeh says Paterno and other top school officials disregarded the welfare of Jerry Sandusky's victims as they failed to report abuse allegations against the longtime assistant coach.

Says Parker: "It is a terrible tragedy that children were unprotected from such abhorrent crimes."

Nike founder Phil Knight, who defended Paterno at the coach's memorial service, says "it appears Joe made missteps that led to heartbreaking consequences."

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press