IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Jerry Sandusky's wife: 'I'm not a weak spouse' 

Dottie Sandusky, the wife of former Penn State assistant football coach and convicted child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky, will appear in an exclusive interview on TODAY Wednesday. Sandusky spoke to Lauer for her first-ever television interview from her home in State College, Penn. Jerry Sandusky, 70, has been in a maximum security prison in Pennsylvania since being found guilty in June 2012 on 45 o

Dottie Sandusky, the wife of former Penn State assistant football coach and convicted child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky, will appear in an exclusive interview on TODAY Wednesday. 

Sandusky spoke to Lauer for her first-ever television interview from her home in State College, Penn. 

Jerry Sandusky, 70, has been in a maximum security prison in Pennsylvania since being found guilty in June 2012 on 45 of 48 charges of sexual abuse of young boys over a 15-year period. In October of 2012, he was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison. Jerry and Dottie have been married since 1966 and have six adopted children. 

In the interview, Matt Lauer asked her about a story in the Washington Post in which Melinda Henneberger wrote, "It's a shame that Dottie Sandusky doesn't have a cell of her own next to her notorious husband. We know that predators prey on the more vulnerable. They also tend to choose spouses who can be counted on to suppress any unpleasant ideas that might occur to them."

"I'm not a weak spouse,'' she replied. "As you know...they call me 'Sarge' because Jerry said I kept everybody in line. If they want to say that, let them say that. I know who I am. And I know who Jerry is. And I know he did not do the horrible crimes that he's convicted of.  

"That's one thing I was taught by my parents. And that's something that we've taught our kids, to always be truthful." 

Sandusky also spoke about the changes she has seen in her husband since he has been in prison. 

"A friend had written to him and asked him what he missed — what did he take most for granted — and he said family meals, fun time with the grandkids playing ball, (and) doing special things with friends,'' Sandusky said tearfully.