Penn State AD Pat Kraft offers apology over leaked audio that ‘embarrassed’ him
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pat Kraft apologized after leaked profanity-filled audio confirmed authentic.
- Recording captured council players raising concerns about development and playing time.
- Kraft pledged to improve conduct, support athletes and close the episode quickly.
Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft offered an apology Monday afternoon after what appeared to be a private, profanity-filled conversation between him and football players was leaked on YouTube last week.
In the audio, which is incomplete and narrated by Dead Air Sports podcast, Kraft addresses about 10 football players — the team’s leadership council, according to a source — who requested a meeting. He’s honest and direct, often dropping the f-word while explaining how Oregon’s “full of weirdos,” Michigan cheated, Happy Valley is in the middle of nowhere, etc.
“What I will tell you about that is I’m embarrassed,” Kraft said Monday, when asked about it during Matt Campbell’s introductory press conference. “I apologize to anyone that I may have offended with that video that leaked.
“Personally, it’s been challenging for me. But I am very passionate about Penn State, and it was nine or 10 football players that asked, wanted to sit down, and we had an open and honest discussion. I fell short of the standard I should represent for all my staff that sits up there, all 833 athletes that I represent. You know, I can’t apologize enough for those who I may have offended. I’ve got to get better.”
The authenticity of the recording was under question, but Kraft’s apology Monday appeared to confirm it. A separate source also confirmed the authenticity to the Centre Daily Times.
Dead Air Sports podcast posted audio of the conversation late Thursday night, and the conversation appeared to take place sometime after the Nittany Lions’ win against Nebraska and before the victory against Rutgers.
In the leaked audio that’s shared, players voiced concerns about development, playing time for younger talent and the lack of things to do around Happy Valley. Kraft attempted to empathize with those concerns, causing some fans to condemn the recording for its harsh language but also earning support from others for his honesty.
At one point, he admits to the players about the coaching search: “I want you all to know, too: If I don’t get this right, my career’s over.”
Pennsylvania is a two-party consent state, meaning all recorded parties must consent to being recorded or that recording violates the state’s wiretap laws as a potential third-degree felony. It is not known who made the recording or who shared it. But Kraft did not seem eager to find the perpetrator.
He said if student-athletes want to speak with him, he wants to have an open conversation. And he intimated he just wanted to put this in the rearview mirror.
“So we’re moving on,” he said from Beaver Stadium’s media room. “We handled it in the family. I’m proud of our guys. I’m proud of them and excited for them to move forward.”
