The Pennsylvania chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) said comments made by Penn State football coach Joe Paterno during a FedEx Orange Bowl press conference were "appalling" and wants a public apology and his resignation.

During a press conference last Monday, Paterno was questioned by a reporter about the suspension of Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson from the bowl game because of sexual assault allegations.

According to a Pennsylvania NOW press release, Paterno said, "I think it is so tough, there are so many people gravitating to these kids. He may not have even known what he was getting into. Somebody may have knocked on the door, a cute little girl knocks on the door. What do you do?"

Pennsylvania NOW President Joanne Tosti-Vasey said that she was shocked when she received this statement by Paterno.

Tosti-Vasey issued a press release and has e-mailed Paterno, Penn State President Graham Spanier and Athletic Director Tim Curley with the resignation request and said she is waiting for their responses.

"Sexual assault and domestic violence are matters of serious concern," she said.

Guido D'Elia, Penn State football communications director, said that what Paterno said at the press conference was in context with the subject of the discussion.

He said most of the reporters at the conference understood that, and Pennsylvania NOW is taking Paterno's remarks out of context.

D'Elia said Paterno was not passing any judgment or saying who was at fault but was talking about how players have to learn to avoid temptation and everything that comes with it.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said that the discussion at the conference was also about the rush of judgment made by journalists, especially when they don't have all the facts.

Mahon added that when the statement was first made, it was not presented as a big deal by the media.

"It's not the type of person [Paterno] is, and it is not the type of history he has," Mahon said.

However, Tosti-Vasey said this is not the first time Paterno has made this type of remark.

She said several years ago, Paterno had made a comment in conjunction with domestic violence after a football game loss.

"He said, 'I'm going to go home and beat up my wife,' " Tosti-Vasey said.

She said this statement was later described as "locker-room talk" and not to be taken seriously.

In addition, Tosti-Vasey said Pennsylvania NOW responded in 2003 when Paterno allowed former player Anwar Phillips to continue playing after being indicted for sexual assault.

She said that the organization sent out a press release asking coaches to enforce university policies for all sports teams.

She said she thinks the athletic department is taking the event lightly to protect Paterno.

"Individuals in leadership roles and role models to student and others need to take their position seriously," she said. "Taking it lightly sends a message that it is OK for these types of things to occur. These statements have to stop."

D'Elia said he hopes people know Paterno is better than Pennsylvania NOW is portraying him.

"Joe is Joe, and people know where he is coming from," D'Elia said.