Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, serving time in prison for sexual assault, is corresponding with people on the outside a la Aaron Hernandez.
And, much like letters from the jailed former New England Patriots star, Sandusky’s words reveal much, perhaps even more than he himself realizes.
“I’ve been quite confined, always searching for purpose,” Jerry Sandusky writes (the usual caveats applying to every word he says, obviously).
“For now, my main purpose is to endure, learn from and grow form this experience. It is very challenging. I exercise, read, meditate and do a lot of writing.”
“I’ve written and continue to write my account of what has happened.”
It’s unclear who he wrote to May 19, but Sandusky clearly has not accepted his conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse as the final word on the matter.
“An appeal is in process,” he writes in another letter June 16, “but I don’t know what to think. I would feel better if we could reveal all the information and unfairness.”
He writes that he has support from all over the country, and the letters, while short, hint at Sandusky’s mindset, and how he is grasping for purpose.
“God’s light has warmed me with many letters of support and motivation,” he says. “My plan is to continue this battle until the last whistle blows.”
“My hope is to serve even better purposes,” the 69-year-old adds. “Each day, my goal is to embrace each day as a gift. Never surrender except to God.”
“Don’t let circumstances get the best of us. Understand God’s presence and purpose. Remain as positive as possible. Exercise your mind, body, and spirit.”
“Today, I remembered my childhood, which took place about 20 miles from here. My dad and I were playing baseball, and he told me to choke up on the bat.”
“I pulled it to my mouth and coughed on it. He knew he had a genius on his hands.”
Sure he did, Jerry. Whatever brings you comfort in there, go ahead and think that.
Sandusky is serving 30 to 60 years in prison, which isn’t nearly long enough.