The leader of the Mizzou’s football team showed his value system not only includes drinking and driving but also that he favors athletic success over human decency.

Pinkel defended Paterno on Tuesday while speaking with reporters at the Southeastern Conference‘s preseason football event. He called the Penn State sex abuse scandal a “tragic situation,” but said Paterno’s legacy shouldn’t be tarnished by the actions of Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno’s former top assistant coach is awaiting sentencing after being convicted last month of sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years. Paterno died in January of lung cancer at age 85.

“Joe Paterno’s a friend that I got to know professionally, and you can’t take away the greatness of this man,” Pinkel said. “He was a great man. However you analyze this, you can’t erase all that this guy’s done. You can’t do that. Nobody can do that.”

From USA Today: “State lawmaker slams Mizzou coach for defending Joe Paterno”

also see: STLToday.com: “Mo. lawmaker condemns Mizzou coach’s comments”