Guests Include former NFL Players Franco Harris and Heath Evans,
and One-Time Penn State Graduate Assistant Coach Matt Paknis

(Los Angeles, CA – November 17, 2011) – Dr. Phil delves into the sexual abuse allegations against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky and provides parents with a guide that could help them recognize if their children are being groomed by a predator.  This informative hour, which airs Friday, November 18 (check local listings), will also focus on the alleged Sandusky victims in addition to other actual abuse victims. 

“This show isn’t about football or even football coaches, it’s about the alleged victims that are getting lost in the frenzy of all this,” said Dr. Phil.  “I’m not just talking about those that have come forward, but the tens of thousands that are being triggered by the coverage.”

Joining Dr. Phil will be psychologist Dr. Howard Fradkin who has counseled over 1000 male sex abuse victims in his nearly 30-year-career and Jack Trimarco, former FBI polygraph operator.  They dissect Sandusky’s recent national interview and what he did not say that they believe actually reveals a great deal about the accusations.   

Also appearing on the show is NFL Hall of Famer and former Penn State running back Franco Harris who played under Joe Paterno and has been a big supporter of his college coach since the allegations were first made public.    Harris feels that the administration and not Paterno, should be held liable for the access Sandusky was granted to the university following his retirement that later led to some of these alleged incidents of abuse. 

“Jerry negotiated a contract with the administration and the administration gave him all these rights,” said Harris.  “Believe me Jerry and Joe are not great buds. I don’t think that under Joe this would have happened.” 

To which Dr. Phil replied, “Are you telling me that Joe Paterno did not have the influence, the sway and the presence to control his own facilities at Penn State?!”

Another product of the Penn State football program, former graduate assistant coach Matt Paknis will also appear and talk about what he observed in Sandusky and how the long-time defensive coordinator related to players while the two were both on Paterno’s staff.  As a child, Paknis was a victim of sexual abuse by a neighbor.    

In addition, sexual abuse survivor Jimmy Carlino, Penn State student body president T.J. Bard and former NFL running back Heath Evans, whose foundation brings awareness to the epidemic of child abuse, will also appear.    

The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, and is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution.  DR. PHIL is the new leader in syndicated daytime talk, a position it took following the departure of The Oprah Winfrey Show in May, 2011.  Until then and since its inception in 2002, DR. PHIL consistently ranked #2 behind only Oprah.   (Source: NSS Ranking Report)

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