What Paterno should have said

I believe I fulfilled my legal obligation and I'm gratified to know that the attorney general agrees with me.

I also believe I did not fulfill my moral obligations in this matter. I wish I had acted differently, but I am a weak and sinful man. I cannot imagine how the people I have injured by what I have done and what I have failed to do could possibly forgive me. I dare not even ask for their forgiveness.

My only consolation is that my God is a forgiving God.

I had hoped to remain as coach of this university's football team until I die. Clearly that will not happen now. I hope that the people of Pennsylvania will allow me to finish this season along with the blameless young men on this team. If so, I will then retire and spend the rest of my life trying to atone in some small way for my moral lapse in this matter. If, however, I must leave my post now, I will do so without fuss or rancor.

May God bless us all.