James Franklin‘s media availability on Thursday was uncomfortable.
The Penn State head coach was at the mic a day after two former Nittany Lions were charged with rape.
Jameial Lyons, a 19-year-old from Philadelphia, is being charged with rape, aggravated assault without consent, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated individual assault without consent, as well as misdemeanors of indecent assault without consent of others and invasion of privacy without consent.
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Head Coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions checks the scoreboard during the first quarter of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Kaveion Keys, also 19, from Richmond, Virginia, is charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault without consent and sexual assault, as well as a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault without consent of others.
A reporter was trying to get a comment from Franklin about the “serious and sensitive subject,” but before he could even finish his thought, Franklin stepped away from the microphone and even motioned for a staffer to step forward.
The staffer referred to the statement the school had released and read it out loud.
Franklin then stepped back to the mic, acting like nothing had happened.
“Hey guys, any questions?” Franklin asked.
Franklin was then asked when he was aware the players would not be on the team, and he stepped away again.
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the second half of a game against the Wolverines, October 15, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
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The staffer, in an angrier tone, said they would not make another comment.
For a third time, Franklin said, “Hey guys.” Another staffer asked to “keep the questions to Wisconsin.”
According to PennLive, the charges stem from alleged events from July 7 when a student reported sexual assault in a residence hall on Penn State’s campus in State College. An affidavit of probable cause has not yet been released, the outlet adds.
“We are aware of the serious charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” Penn State said on Tuesday in a statement. “The safety of our community is our top priority, and Penn State takes any report of sexual assault or misconduct very seriously and investigates any and all reports.”
Penn State head coach James Franklin celebrates with players after a touchdown against Delaware during the first half at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2023, in State College, Pa. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Lyons and Keys are no longer members of the Penn State football program, as the outlet was told on July 31 they were placed on interim suspension to handle a “personal matter” before confirming three days later they were indeed no longer with the squad.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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