Here, by Joe Posnanski. Probably as good a take as you can find. Mr. Posnanski is writing a biography on Paterno. It should be a fascinating read.
My final word on Paterno is, well, more about the coverage actually. While I agree he erred badly, I cannot agree at all with growing number of commenters whom consider him an accomplice. The facts do not support that assertion in the slightest.
Actually, I lied. My final word is, I hope the worst of this story is over.
4 replies on “Paterno- A Qualifed Defense”
I think that, without question, and I have no problem being that definitive, you are correct in your characterization of Paterno (and McQuery) as innocent in a legal sense. I have never felt that they are even remotely “accomplices” to the crime. They are just people that could have, morally and personally, done more to address a situation that they were well aware of and they failed in that world.
I do not think that in any stretch of the imagination JoePa or McQuery are even remotely responsible for the criminal activity, I just think that their personal cowardice extended the lifespan of the crimes. That, to me, is unforgivable for men of their stature, especially Joe. Mike, I always personally thought and have later learned, is a very soft person, but Joe is thought of as a pillar…this is clearly not a true characterization. Both of them, while not in any way guilty, should be ashamed of themselves until the day that they die.
It is a good article, and I think for the most part justified, but at the most, it is a summary of the way to evaluate the situation to this point in time. Paterno is a coward, he makes that point, and if you can get past that point, he is a great man, if you cannot, he is just a typically weak person who should have grown a pair at the most important of moments. I think that he shall forever be judged by the fact that at the moment that he needed a pair, he revealed that he never had any. It is sad, it is too bad, especially for the children that were raped during his apparently public lack of constitution, and it is morally difficult to comprehend.
He will go down as a very accomplished man, but at the same time a man that accomplished nothing in the moment where he should have accomplished the bare minimum.
Sad. Disgusting. Reprehensible. Unforgivable. Weak. Gutless.
An interesting perspective and good read; Mr. Paterno was at the end of his career and will not work again. Mr. McQuery will have difficulty getting employment because his lack of personal fortitude in a crisis will follow him for the rest of his days … There is no answer now – they will both live with this kernal of ‘hindsight’ as the children will live with their nightmares.
Here is an interesting look at the situation from someone who has some well rounded perspective. I think he says a lot of the things that we are all feeling, there is definitely some emotional speculation, but in the end, I think the article makes several great points and points to the hope that this situation never gets swept under the rug. Hopefully all this tragedy will actually lead to something better…
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45283472/ns/sports-college_football//