PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Disgraced former Penn State President Graham Spanier says he was told no when he asked subordinates if Jerry Sandusky engaged in anything more than “horseplay” with a child he was later convicted of sexually assaulting in an on-campus shower.

Spanier said that as a result he thought the 2001 incident was nothing more than “throwing water around” and “snapping towels.”

Spanier and his attorneys have spent the last two days attacking a university-commissioned report that alleges he helped cover for Sandusky.

The report by former FBI director Louis Freeh says Spanier and late coach Joe Paterno helped conceal the 2001 allegation to stave off bad publicity.

Spanier insisted in interviews published Wednesday and Thursday he never knew Sandusky was abusing children and never attempted to protect him.