Penn State football coach James Franklin refuses to comment on rape charges against former players

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State coach James Franklin met with the media Wednesday evening but refused to answer questions related to the rape charges two of his former players are facing.

Instead, he walked away from the microphone and stood beside a Penn State backdrop to allow Penn State assistant AD for football communications and content Greg Kincaid to respond to two questions about former players Kaveion Keys and Jameial Lyons.

Before Franklin came out to speak with the media Wednesday, Kincaid started the press conference by reading a brief statement: “Regarding the two former Penn State football players, we released a statement yesterday and our program and athletic department will have no further comment.”

In response to both questions Franklin was asked about Keys and Lyons, Kincaid referred to the university’s statement.

“We’ve released a university statement. Do I need to read the statement again?” he said.

The university gave the following statement Tuesday after the impending charges were made public:

“We are aware of the serious charges against Mr. Keys and Mr. Lyons, who are no longer enrolled at the University,” Penn State wrote in a statement Tuesday. “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.”

Franklin then was asked about the players again but again walked away from the microphone, deferring to Kincaid. He then walked toward the exit of Holuba Hall before returning after he was informed there were questions about Wisconsin, the team’s upcoming opponent.

Franklin has not commented on the players’ departure. The CDT requested comment from Franklin and Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft on Tuesday, but only the university’s statement was sent.

Keys and Lyons were charged Wednesday with multiple felonies for a violent sex crime they are alleged to have committed in July while still members of the team.

Keys and Lyons were initially placed on interim suspension at the end of July to, according to a team spokesperson at the time, “deal with a personal matter.” That was roughly one month before the start of the Nittany Lions’ season and came after neither player was at the portion of the team’s first fall practice that was open to the media.

A few days after the suspension was announced, the team spokesperson said neither Keys or Lyons was enrolled at the university any longer, and both were removed from the team roster.

Lyons, a defensive end, was projected to fill a top reserve role after recording one sack last year as a freshman. Keys was expected to see an increased role at linebacker after he redshirted last season.

Neither appears to have landed with another program since their departure.

The No. 3 Nittany Lions are undefeated and ranked in the top five in a season for the first time since 2017. They will play the Badgers on Saturday on the road before returning home to take on Ohio State on Nov. 2.