VIDEO: Former Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky Claims Innocence

Former Pennsylvania State University defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of criminal acts involving sexual abuse toward eight young boys between the ages of 10 and 15. The 67-year-old Sandusky finally broke his silence and claimed innocence in a disturbing telephone interview with Bob Costas on NBC's Rock Center on Monday night.

Watch the interview WHEN YOU JUMP ...

"I could say that, you know, I have done some of those things," said the former assistant coach. "I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their leg. Without intent of sexual contact."

From the transcript:

COSTAS: What about Mike McQueary, the grad assistant who in 2002 walked into the shower where he says in specific detail that you were forcibly raping a boy who appeared to be ten or 11 years old? That his hands were up against the shower wall and he heard rhythmic slap, slap, slapping sounds and he described that as a rape?

SANDUSKY: I would say that that's false.

COSTAS: What would be his motive to lie?

SANDUSKY: You'd have to ask him that.

COSTAS: What did happen in the shower the night that Mike McQueary happened upon you and the young boy?

SANDUSKY: Okay, we-- we were showing and-- and horsing around. And he actually turned all the showers on and was-- actually sliding-- across the-- the floor. And we were-- as I recall possibly like snapping a towel, horseplay.

Police were not called despite eyewitness accounts of the sexual abuse.

The criminal case and indictments have rocked the university. The university president and coach Joe Paterno—with 61 years and 400+ wins—were fired after being accused of covering up Sandusky's criminal behavior.

Meanwhile: Most of the victims were reportedly were Black, "raising more questions" about "poor inner-city, underprivileged youth [being] the most vulnerable" for sexual abuse. No big deal. It's just some little Black boys. Let's win some football!

Watch the interview AFTER THE JUMP