Joe Paterno wanted to get out of the way of the Penn State investigation, but finish the season. But the Board of Trustees in State College will not give him the chance. He is out immediately.
One of Joe Paterno's long time assistants, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested and indicted for sexually abusing 8 children over 15 years. This is not the type of scandal that will leave the program with a just a black eye. This is not something that people will forget about in a couple of years. This will linger in College Station for a long, long time. That was not a simple mistake. This was a crime against the most innocent and vulnerable among us. More should have been done to protect these boys. But the proper safeguards were not in place, and the image of one of college footballs great programs is forever tarnished.
This seems unfair to dismiss Paterno, based upon what we know about the scandal today. From what we know, Paterno reported what he knew to the campus police. It was others above him, the Athletic Director and the Vice President over athletics that swept this under the rug. But this is the price you pay for being the guy on the top. Everyone in Sundusky's chain of command was held responsible by the University board. That is the proper course of action. Others who knew and did nothing should be dismissed as well.
What was done by some in this incident was a crime. There will be serious consequences to Penn State. The Feds are investigating whether or not federal money was used properly. If they find a problem, the Penn State system can lose funds from the government. This is money that is used for everything from research and for student grants. This may or may not be taken from the athletic department. It will be a major headache for the university to deal with the loss of this money. Students on Federal Aid could lose title IV money and funds for research projects could be curtailed. Instructors and other staff will lose their jobs at a time when jobs are hard to come by. It could effect every student on campus in one way or another. That is why the trustees had to act and act quickly. Too much is on the line. This is why Joe Pa has to leave Happy Valley.
The Board of Trustees is doing what it must do to save face, to prevent lawsuits, and to ensure that Penn State remains a high performing research institution. But on the field of athletics? It will be a different story. You don't replace a Joe Paterno with just anyone. It took Florida State a couple of years to perform at a high level without Bobby Bowden. It took BYU a bit longer to succeed without LaVell Edwards. And it was nearly a decade before Nebraska could succeed without Tommy Osbourne. You just can't replace a legend.
This incident will have a negative effect on Penn State sports for a long time. But this time, it is not the most important thing. Protecting the most vulnerable and innocent among us is the most important thing that we can do. Quality football will have to wait for everything else to clear.
I am sorry to see a legend leave like this. I wish it could have been different. His last game on the sidelines should have been under the warm sun of Pasadena in January smelling the roses. Not under the dark cloud of scandal. Penn State will fix the problems that allowed this to happen.
Hopefully, Penn State will make proper restitution to the victims. After this is accomplished, it will be time to rebuild the football program. Let's hope and pray for the best for the victims. Once they are properly taken care of, then let's hope for quality football to return to College Station.
2 comments:
Contrary to your assertion, Joe Paterno did not report anything to the campus police. He simply talked to his AD and left the matter alone after that. If he had talked to the police, he would not have been fired. End of story.
FYI: Penn State is in State College. College Station is in Texas and is where Texas A&M plays.
I do not feel bad for Paterno. I feel bad for the victims.
If you saw someone getting raped at your work do you just go tell that person's boss and wash your hands of it? No. You call the police and not the fake campus police.
10 years since there have been more victims because nothing was done.
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