Paterno’s family defends him

Joe Paterno’s family says the late Penn State football coach didn’t cover up for convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky, and didn’t act to prevent a proper investigation of the retired defensive coordinator.

Paterno’s family also called Sandusky a “master deceiver” in the statement released Tuesday after former FBI director Louis Freeh announced he would release the findings of his investigation into the scandal Thursday.

Freeh was hired to investigate by the Penn State trustees, who ousted Paterno days after Sandusky was arrested in November. Paterno’s family said the Freeh team declined its offer to respond to recent news leaks after the family asked to review the findings. They said Paterno never got a chance to present his case before he died in January.

NASCAR has penalized two championship contending teams for problems found during qualifying at Daytona. Three-time champion Tony Stewart was docked six points, and crew chief Steve Addington was fined $25,000 because of a cooling hose found inside Stewart’s car during qualifying. He forfeited his secondplace qualifying spot but still won the race Saturday night. In the Nationwide Series, Austin Dillon was docked six points for the same violation as Stewart. Crew chief Danny Stockman and car chief Robert Strmiska have both been suspended until July 25.

With Dee Gordon sidelined for the next six weeks, the Dodgers added middleinfield depth by acquiring minor leaguer Ozzie Martinez from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. Martinez, a 24-year-old shortstop, was one of the two players the White Sox received from the Miami Marlins as compensation for the Marlins’ hiring of Manager Ozzie Guillen.

Martinez will be sent to the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. The Dodgers view him as insurance for Luis Cruz, who was recently called up to the majors from triple A and figures to be the primary shortstop in Gordon’s absence.

Running back Johnathan Gray, who scored 205 touchdowns in his high school career at Aledo High in Texas, was named the Gatorade male athlete of the year. He will play this fall for Texas. Connecticut-bound Breanna Stewart, a basketball player from North Syracuse (N.Y.) Cicero High, was named the female athlete of the year.

Kenny Heitz, a member of three NCAA championship basketball teams at UCLA from 1967-69, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.