DeAndre Levy was involved in a play that broke former Penn State coach Joe Paterno's leg during a 2006 game when Wisconsin played the Nittany Lions. Now, the Detroit Lions linebacker said it was his "proudest moment in college" in a recent story in Men's Journal.

Levy, who has taken on domestic violence and sexual assault as causes he is trying to fight, called Paterno a "dirtbag" for reportedly being aware of sexual abuse allegations against Jerry Sandusky, Paterno's former defensive coordinator.

"That dirtbag, man," Levy told Men's Journal. "We've gotta stop prioritizing sports over humanity. Just because somebody can throw a football or coach football, they're excluded from their wicked acts."

Former Wisconsin defender and current Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy (11) said this play, in which former Penn State coach Joe Paterno suffered a broken leg, was his "proudest moment in college." AP Photo/Andy Manis

Levy has increased his profile speaking out against sexual assault on college campuses with an essay in The Players' Tribune and then raising money for the Enough Said campaign in Detroit to help test neglected rape kits and fund an investigator to try to get convictions.

After his essay this past spring in The Players' Tribune, Levy said he heard from victims of sexual assault often. They would share their stories with him, and he realized he was on a path to being a male voice for them and that men are "failing" victims of sexual assault.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell, who coached under Paterno at Penn State, has often called Paterno a mentor and expressed how important he was in his life. Caldwell said his players are allowed to have whatever opinion they want.

"Really, I think I've gone on record many times about how I feel about Joe," Caldwell said. "And in regard to our players making their statement about how they feel, I'd be hypocritical to tell you anything other than the fact that they can express their opinion.

"We don't all necessarily agree with it."