Penn State coach Joe Paterno released a statement Sunday in response to the sexual abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and perjury charges against Athletic Director Tim Curley and Vice President for Business and Finance Gary Schultz.

He said while he did all he could by reporting Sandusky’s wrongdoings to Curley, he is still upset about the situation.

“Sue and I have devoted our lives to helping young people reach their potential. The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling,” Paterno said. “If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers.”

The statement was released by his son, Scott, Sunday afternoon. The coach said he wants everyone to be fair and wait until the trial is complete.

“In the meantime I would ask all Penn Staters to continue to trust in what that name represents, continue to pursue their lives every day with high ideals and not let these events shake their beliefs nor who they are,” Paterno said.

Paterno said while an assistant coach made him aware of the situation in 2002, the details were not nearly as graphic as those contained in the grand jury report.

“It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw,” Paterno said. “Regardless, it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky. As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time, I referred the matter to university administrators.”