No link- as I saw it over at ESPN’s site, but I don’t care to link it because of the various opinions being thrown around about Paterno. I don’t have all my thoughts together about it, personally, because the reports are all white-hot emotion and short on fact. The main one Paterno is getting beaten over the head with is that the abuse was brought to his attention and he did what he was supposed to, but no more. I’m still not sure what the “more” was supposed to be at this point. That’s not to say he couldn’t have done more- I’m waiting for more info at this point before I pass judgment.
That said, based on the reports, Sandusky has much to answer for and, assuming he is guilty, I like to think there’s a special place in hell waiting for him.
One other thing- not that I’ve seen anything like this yet, but anyone upset with the 8 victims for tarnishing Penn State really need to check their priorities. At this point, whatever wounds Penn State suffers are entirely self-inflicted.
UPDATE:
Ann Althouse has been following the case and appears to have read the Grand Jury report. She says:
In case you’ve forgotten, the story Paterno heard – according to the grand jury report – was that McQueary, a graduate assistant coach, saw “a naked boy about 10 years old ‘with his hands up against the wall, being subjected to anal intercourse by a naked Sandusky.'”
At which point, Paterno reported things up the power structure at Penn State, but did not go to the police. The only justification I can think for why they wouldn’t have gone to the police is, they were shocked into complacency. But at some point, you recover from it and the right thing to do is act. Beyond the barest minimum, McQueary and Paterno did not act. It’s hard to find any defense for Paterno or McQueary.
I’ve always been a fan of Paterno and probably will continue to be, but it will always be with an asterisk now. He really did fail me here. Of all the coaches out there that I’d expect to do the right thing, it would be him. He did not- and it’s very disappointing to admit that.
One reply on “Paterno Retiring”
It is hard to even express how disgusted I am with this whole situation. I think it was a total failure of human function and decency. Joe Paterno cannot redeem himself, nor can anyone even remotely associated with the situation. Unfortunately for him, and his complete and utter cowardice, the man I hold most responsible is Mike McQueary. For him to witness what he did, run away, and call his Dad, shows that his father did not raise a man, but a complete coward and the fact that he leads men onto a football field is a joke. None of these men have the right to lead anyone because they lack courage, decency and any form of the understanding of right and wrong.
Mr. Paterno may have been given the credit that he helped form many great men over the last 60 plus years, but the truth is he had nothing to do with it. Those men were born great and they realized their potential thanks to their families, the game of football, their schooling and other influences in their lives. They became great and honorable despite Mr. Paterno, because as he has demonstrated and as the continuing revelations are showing, he has no idea what it means to be great.
A lot of great men created and forged his reputation for him with their own hard work, blood, sweat and tears. They are the only ones who deserve any credit for making the Penn State football program what it is today. Mr. Paterno and the rest of his cohorts can only claim responsibility for doing their best to ride on other’s shoulders and destroy the reputation that they have profited from for years.
It is a sad situation, frightening and disgusting, and the only thing that I can say, is that I am proud to have not been deemed good enough to play for Penn State by Mr. Paterno himself. Had he thought I was a good enough man to play for him all those years ago, this situation would have revealed to me that in the end, he really had no clue at all. His legacy is a lie, his accomplishments are void and everything should be transferred to the program that accomplished all the great things that he has been given credit for over the last half century. He has no right to anything anymore and there is a special place in hell reserved for Jerry Sandusky and the others who helped him cover up his crimes.