JC's Jones & Penn State teammates stand united

7/25/2012 (Updated 10:55:51 PM)

STATE COLLEGE, PA -- When chips fell after the Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, sex abuse scandal the university, and the football program, were hit with some of the hardest sanctions ever levied.
 
One of the penalties the program received was allowing current players on the roster to transfer to a new school and play immediately.

With the green light, many thought the players would jump ship, but today, many of the players stood united while releasing their first statement since the sanctions were handed down Monday.

"This program was not built by one man, and this program sure as hell isn't going to get torn down by one man, says Michael Mauti, Penn State Sr. Linebacker. This program was built by every alumni, every single player that came before us, built on their backs.  And we're going to take that right now, this is our opportunity to do that."

Zordich, "We know it's not going to be easy, but we know what we're made of. We know that, through this ride, there are going to be tough times ahead, says Michael Zordich, Penn State Sr. Fullback.

But we know what our coaches are made of, and we know what the university is made of."

One of the players you could see standing united with his teammates was Johnson City alum DaQuan Jones.

Over the past day or so Jones has even tweeted his thoughts saying:

"The Penn State d-line isn't going nowhere."

and..

"A family that stays together, plays together. #PSUnation."

Jones is Jr. defensive lineman this season, and is expected to battle for a starting position this fall.