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OPINION: Punishment too severe for Paterno, not for everything else

Opinion by Loren Kopff

Almost two weeks after the Pennsylvania State University football program got hit with “death penalty”-like sanctions from the NCAA in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal, I’m still in shock. Not because the university was banned from playing in a bowl game for four years, dinged for a monster $60 million fine or had scholarships reduced.

I’m still in shock that the late Joe Paterno, once the NCAA’s Division I winningest coach, is no longer that. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t defend Paterno remaining silent when he was initially made aware of what that monster had done to those young children. Yes, he had the right to stop the criminal acts of Sandusky a long time ago and I wish he had.

Like most college football fans, I grew up idolizing coaches like Paterno, Barry Switzer of the University of Oklahoma and Bobby Bowden of Florida State University, who now needs 32 wins to become the NCAA’s Division I winningest coach.

But, to vacate the 111 victories from 1998-2011 was not the right punishment. Paterno did not play any ineligible players, either with or without his knowledge. Paterno did not have any players receive gifts, money, bribes, etc. like Reggie Bush of the University of Southern California did not too long ago. Paterno did not have his players cheat during an online exam like Florida State University did in 2006 and 2007. Paterno did not have players receive tattoos in exchange for pieces of memorabilia like Ohio State University did in 2010.

All Paterno was guilty of is not manning up and telling the police that Sandusky had abused children. How does that constitute vacating his victories? In fact, what constitutes the NCAA taking away victories from a coach or a program? Anything and everything? No. I didn’t realize that remaining silent could cost a coach victories.

Now I wonder if every coaching victory is legitimate because there are coaches and programs out there that cheat, but have not been caught yet. There’s that word again-cheat. Paterno did not cheat. He just remained silent. Penn State did not cheat. University administrators just remained silent.

Woody Hayes, who coached Ohio State University from 1951-1978, punched Charlie Bauman of Clemson University during the Gator Bowl in 1978. That would be the last game Hayes coached but he didn’t have any wins vacated for punching a player.

I don’t get it.

Southern Methodist University was placed on the death penalty in 1987 after an investigation revealed, among other things, that players were receiving money. Bobby Collins was the SMU head coach from 1982-1986 before resigning in the wake of the investigation. But all of his 43 victories are still standing and he was never sanctioned by the NCAA. Again, I don’t get it.

A coach remains silent and his victories are vacated but another coach can punch a player or boosters can pay players and all that is done is he gets fired? The NCAA needs to determine what can result in victories being vacated.

My heart goes out to the families and children who were victims of this disgusting crime. At the same time, I’m saddened to see this happen to someone like Paterno, who was adorned by so many fans. I wish he could have done the right thing and I wish he could still be alive to finally speak up and explain himself. I don’t condone his silence but to take away 111 victories was wrong.

Note: Loren Kopff is the Sports Editor for Hews Media Group.

  • Tim Berton says:

    I agree mostly, except Paterno did not remain silent.

    He told Curley and Schultz, who told Spanier. Those three then told a lawyer and officials and a lawyer at the The Second Mile, which was the source of Sandusky’s victims.

    From McQueary’s testimony that he saw no sexual contact, one could easily believe that all Sandusky did was hug the boy in 2001, exactly what he did in 1998. The DA and PA Dept.of Public Welfare didn’t arrest Sandusky in 1998 because they determined that hugging a boy in the showers was not a state crime.

    Big Bill Tilden was a convicted pedophile but he never lost any of his seven U.S. Open tennis titles. He didn’t even get an asterisk.

  • glen says:

    You Joepologists are at it again, distorting facts in a vain attempt to salvage the tattered remnants of Paterno’s “legacy.”

    Paterno’s own Grand Jury testimony reveals, in no uncertain terms, that he was told “something sexual” had occured between Sandusky and a boy.

    So when you state that Mike McQueary “saw no sexual contact” you are contradicting your “hero” Joe Pa’s sworn testimony.

    You are also wrong in stating that Paterno informed two people. He only told Tim Curley, his hand picked “errand boy.”

    • Bipartisan says:

      Lets wait until all testimonies come out before passing judgment. To pull opinions from the freeh report and use them as facts is absolutely absurd. I’m sick of people that believe in due process being called “joepologists”. It’s innocent until proven guilty…and if you read the freeh report there is not one “FACT” that says joe covered anything up. Not one…just opinions from a former FBI director that has a history of F*cking up investigations and drawing false conclusions.

    • Bipartisan says:

      Lets wait until all testimonies come out before passing judgment. To pull opinions from the freeh report and use them as facts is absolutely absurd. I’m sick of people that believe in due process being called “joepologists”. It’s innocent until proven guilty…and if you read the freeh report there is not one “FACT” that says joe covered anything up. Not one…just opinions from a former FBI director that has a history of Screwing up investigations and drawing false conclusions.

  • Annie K says:

    Well said!

  • Susan Mills says:

    You appear to have omitted some very important information. through their silence The Great Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz created an environment for Sandusky’s perverted actions to thrive. Without their “silence” many young boys would not have been raped. I am so tired of selfish self center people opening their mouths and letting stupidity flow from within. This issue is about 4 or more men in positions of power within an organization that looked the other way allowing many (I am sure we will never know just how many) young boys to be raped and have their innocence, ability to trust others, their feelings of self worth taken away because of the “silence”

    If you need to defend someone, then defend the true victims. Defend the young men who still have nightmares from what the silence did to them

  • JT Thomas says:

    The problem is too many in the media have misrepresented, misreported the facts.

    PSU Timeline
    http://www.yardbird.com/corbett_sandusky_psu_timeline.htm
    http://americanfreepress.net/?p=5131
    http://dmnewsi.com/2012/07/26/dmn-in-depth-the-chicken-ranch-sanduskys-second-mile/
    http://deadspin.com/5925401/joe-paterno-gave-jerry-sandusky-the-option-to-keep-coaching-as-long-as-he-was-the-coach

    1998 Police Report
    http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/redactedpolicereport.pdf
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/03/patriot-news_exclusive_psychol.html (added 7/31)

    Schultzs file from 98
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/08/schultzs-secret-file-could-exonorate-psu.html (added 8/3)

    Ray Gricar
    http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cfm?channelid=2&contentid=9253&page=2

    Inside CYS
    http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/19/3094803/Inside-CYS-Sandusky-Penn-State
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-letter-to-rainn.html (added 8/2)

    Who gave Sandusky Emeritus Status
    http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/q-a-who-gave-sandusky-office-space-and-emeritus-status/

    PSU Police Force is real Police
    http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2011/11/penn_state_scandal_should_campus_cops_have_reported_the_allegations_of_abuse_.html

    Gary Schultz, SVP for Finance and Business in 2001, was the recognized Police Commissioner
    http://www.police.psu.edu/cleryact/documents/116593_PolicySafety_UP.pdf (added 7/31)

    Former police chief Thomas Harmon
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/twitter_timeline_psu_police_of.html (added 8/1)
    http://deadspin.com/5868787/former-penn-state-police-chief-testifies-that-psu-administrator-never-told-him-about-2002-sandusky-shower-incident (added 8/1)

    Wendall Courtney
    http://onwardstate.com/2011/11/09/current-second-mile-counsel-courtney-previously-worked-for-psu/ (added 8/1)

    Who was considered mandatory reporter
    http://cumberlink.com/sports/penn-state-fb/article_19416b16-0bd6-11e1-b9f8-001cc4c03286.html

    Child Protective Services Law
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/09/joe.paterno/index.html#ixzz22KSTR1dO (added 8/1)

    Reporters of child maltreatment often want to know the result of an investigation. Some State and local child welfare agencies will inform mandated reporters of the outcome of a report. 47 In most States, CPS sends letters to mandated reporters and also may call them. A family’s right to privacy, however, supersedes mandated reporters being privy to confidential investigations. Therefore, the reporter may not be informed of the investigation’s findings and may never learn the results from the report.
    http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/childcare/chapterthree.cfm (added 8/2)

    Quote: With the benefit of hindsight I wish I had done more
    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hindsight
    http://www.pennlive.com/specialprojects/index.ssf/2012/01/joe_paterno_a_life_-_he_was_pe.html

    Case against Joe Paterno not all cracked up to be
    http://WWW.POWERLINEBLOG.COM/ARCHIVES/2012/07/THE-CASE-AGAINST-JOE-PATERNO-WEAK-TO-NON-EXISTENT-ON-THE-CURRENT-RECORD.PHP
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/07/joe-paterno-in-1998-freeh-farce.html

    Joe Paterno and Spanier meeting in 2004
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/the_truth_behind_graham_spanie.html

    Witnesses may not report
    http://personalinjury-california.com/sexual-abuse/why-witnesses-may-not-report-sex-crimes-against-minors

    Facts Most People Still Don’t “Get” About the Jerry Sandusky Scandal
    http://www.johnziegler.com/editorials_details.asp?editorial=215 (added 8/1)

    Mike McQueary testimony
    http://media.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/other/Curley-Schultz-Hearing-Transcript.pdf
    http://abcnews.go.com/US/questions-raised-accuracy-penn-state-sodomy-allegation-key/story?id=15133834#.TuW9BGNR6dY
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/07/let-mikey-try-it-or-mm-dilemma.html
    http://www.centredaily.com/2012/01/06/3042396/lawyer-witness-timeline-wrong.html (added 7/31)
    http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/11/17/why-did-mike-mcqueary-play-in-a-2nd-mile-golf-fundraiser-organized-by-jerry-sandusky-just-one-year-after-witnessing-the-alleged-shower-rape/ (added 7/31)

    How you think you’d react in child abuse situation
    http://www.livescience.com/21566-sandusky-cover-up-why-people-look-the-other-way-in-child-sex-abuse.html (added 8/1)

    Jack Raykovicz role with 2ndMile
    http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/second-mile-knew-of-abuse-allegations-323046/
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/01/jack-raykovitz-and-second-mile.html
    http://deadspin.com/jack-raykovitz/
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1201908/12/12/index.htm
    http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/psu/agency-for-at-risk-youths-had-inklings-of-trouble-in-1998-322919/
    http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7368256/ex-second-mile-board-members-level-blame-jerry-sandusky-scandal
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/jack-raykovitz-second-mil_n_1092555.html

    2nd Mile role
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-second-mile-involvement-suspicion.html
    http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/11/16/second-mile-chairman-was-political-donor-to-judge-who-reduced-jerry-sanduskys-bail/ (added 7/31)
    http://www.thesecondmile.org/pdf/AnnualReport2010.pdf (added 7/31)

    Tim Curley
    http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2012/07/attorneys_for_tim_curley_gary.html
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/05/penn_state_officials_say_part.html (added 7/31)

    Dr. Dranov Testimony
    http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/06/20/defense-rests-sandusky-chooses-not-testify
    http://onwardstate.com/2012/06/20/day-7/

    John McQueary Testimony
    http://www.centredaily.com/2012/06/13/3227480/john-mcqueary-father-of-key-jerry.html
    http://onwardstate.com/2012/06/13/day-three-off-to-a-quick-start/
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/06/jerry_sandusky_trial_john_mcqu_1.html (added 8/1)

    Gary Schultz testimony
    http://cnninsession.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/schultz-curley-preliminary-hearing-transcript.pdf
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/06/secret-files-bot-vice-chair-masser.html
    http://articles.mcall.com/2012-07-31/sports/mc-penn-state-abuse-freeh-files-2-20120731_1_freeh-report-maribeth-roman-schmidt-sandusky-case (added 8/2)

    Cynthia Baldwin
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/02/penn_state_legal_counsel_cynth.html
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Baldwin
    http://www.centredaily.com/2012/05/26/3208686/ex-university-counsel-baldwin.html
    http://bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20120727penn_state_counsels_role_in_sandusky_inquiry_called_into_questionhttp://www.centredaily.com/2012/07/27/3274899/baldwins-role-in-scandal-questioned.html
    http://www.law.com/jsp/pa/PubArticlePA.jsp?id=1202562838746&slreturn=20120629205334
    http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/7/2/3131816/joe-paterno-penn-state-jerry-sandusky-coverup

    Spanier
    http://espn.go.com/pdf/2012/0723/espn_otl_spanierletter.pdf

    Credibility of Freeh
    http://www.businessinsider.com/penn-state-investigator-louis-freeh-accused-of-heading-a-massive-cover-up-as-director-of-fbi-2012-7
    http://abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-hires-fbi-director-louis-freeh-investigate/story?id=14999351
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1265466-ex-fifa-presidential-candidate-has-ban-annulled-and-how-it-connects-to-penn-st
    http://nicholasstixuncensored.blogspot.com/2007/10/fbis-war-on-richard-jewell.html
    http://americanfreepress.net/?p=5136 (added 8/1)
    http://lewrockwell.com/anderson/anderson344.html (added 8/1)

    Credibility of Freeh Report
    http://chronicle.com/article/Freeh-Group-Member-Criticizes/133213/
    http://no tpsu.blogspot.com/2012/07/who-is-liar-joe-paterno-or-louis-freeh.html?m=0
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/13/what-the-freeh-report-on-sandusky-says-about-the-failure-of-police-who-investigate-sex-crimes/
    http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/07/15/opinion/doc50022e6ab0246499824761.txt
    https://ch1prd0410.outlook.com/owa/?ae=Item&a=Open&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAD05qdDl0m4RZw1xaJn5GIFBwCj%2fPHaiMKSTrqCkH%2fh9quAAAAFQNYeAAAE1w60cr5pQJ3CFVwyOcrRAAIxkl8iAAAA&pspid=_1343591531325_632938270
    http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/attorney-amendments-to-penn-states-freeh-report-disconcerting-646047/
    http://notpsu.blogspot.com/2012/06/summary-of-leaked-emails.html
    http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/abc-and-corrupt-media-distort-freeh-report-on-sandusky/
    http://www.johnziegler.com/editorials_details.asp?editorial=220
    http://www.johnziegler.com/editorials_details.asp?editorial=219
    http://www.businessinsider.com/did-the-freeh-report-overstate-joe-paternos-role-in-the-penn-state-cover-up-2012-7
    http://tominpaine.blogspot.com/
    http://tominpaine.blogspot.com/2012/07/red-flags-and-personal-fouls-dishonest.html
    http://www.thesportsnotebook.com/2012/07/an-alternative-to-the-standard-media-narrative-on-joe-paterno-penn-state/ (added 7/31)
    http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/07/penn_state_sex-abuse_scandal_a.html (added 8/2)

    Errata Sheet
    http://www.thefreehreportonpsu.com/Louis-Freeh-Report-on-Penn-State-ERRATA-SHEET.pdf
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/07/penn_state_freeh_report_update.html

    PS4RS
    http://www.ps4rs.org/docs/press-release_07-26-12%20questions1.pdf
    http://www.ps4rs.org/freeh.html
    http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/psu-alumni-group-questions-hiring-of-freeh-group-646962/ (added 7/31)

    Paterno Family Letters
    http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8157919/penn-state-nittany-lions-text-joe-paterno-letter-december-2011
    http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/12/paterno-familys-statement-on-freeh-report/
    http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/07/23/2224316/statement-from-paterno-family.html
    http://ps4rs.wordpress.com/category/joseph-vincent-paterno/
    http://www.centredaily.com/2012/04/05/3152378/family-releases-statement-from.html (added 8/1)

    Joes Speech to board in 1983
    http://fortheglory2012.com/joe-paternos-speech-to-trustees-1983/

    PSU Football #1 in academic Bowl
    http://ideas.time.com/2011/12/07/paternos-revenge-penn-state-football-is-no-1-in-academic-bowl/#ixzz22Jhvjc6u (added 8/2)

    Joe Paterno Supporters
    http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/16/coach-k-penn-states-firing-of-joe-paterno-horrible-a-real-mistake/
    http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/backpage/james_media_not_paterno_responsible_kt7sBXL64DK1Sn5iLbStRJ#ixzz20n6uuif6
    http://www.nesn.com/2012/07/franco-harris-argues-against-penn-state-sanctions-still-hoping-to-clear-joe-paternos-name.html
    http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/july/brent-musburger-s-comments-show-complexity-of-penn-state-situation.html
    http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2012/July31/LennyScapegoatStory.html (added 8/1)
    http://www.johnziegler.com/editorials_details.asp?editorial=221 (added 8/1)
    http://rockyhill.patch.com/articles/former-penn-state-player-still-backs-paterno-1ccc88f3 (added 8/3)

    Kevin Slaten
    http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=KFNSAM
    http://www.chirbit.com/kingscourt590
    http://chirb.it/y3Hx73 (John Ziegler from Framingpaterno.com) (added 8/3)
    http://chirb.it/AN1BDd (Barb Kelly, PSU Grad and Writer for KC Star 7-31) (added 8/1)
    http://chirb.it/LJ2cyt (Sara Lampe, Missouri state representative, 7-19)
    http://chirb.it/sA91IP (Agent and former college and pro football player Ralph Cindrich 7 -26)
    http://chirb.it/PLgy2B (Pittsburgh radio 93.7 Vinnie Richichi 7-24)
    http://chirb.it/zFhG5f (PSU trustee Anthony Lubrano 7-23)
    http://chirb.it/q5BsB1 (Former NCAA invenstigator Chuck Smrt 7 – 23)
    http://chirb.it/CaFkt8 (Yael Abouhalkah of the KC Star, attempting to defend Sara Lampe 7 – 20)

    Corbett Role as Attorney General
    http://www.yardbird.com/Freeh_report_ignores_Corbett_inaction.htm
    http://www.yardbird.com/tv_town_officials_cant_stop_pedophile_sex_ring.htm
    http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/lawmaker-wants-feds-to-investigate-state-ag-s-handling-of-sandusky-case/media_attachments/edit?upload_started=1340806556
    http://casablancapa.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-thing-you-do-not-want-to-do-as.html
    http://m.delcotimes.com/delcotimes/pm_110068/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=YiKYJBqK
    http://protecthersheychildren.org/documents/Essays/the-lambs-and-the-wolves.pdf (added 7/31)

    Corbett Role as BOT
    http://www.centredaily.com/2012/07/20/3266906/corbetts-role-under-scrutiny.html

    Corbett role as Governor
    http://www.yardbird.com/DA_seeks_FBI_probe_of_Corbett_security_contractor.htm
    http://www.yardbird.com/joe_paterno_takes_the_fall.htm
    http://www.yardbird.com/Corbett_governorship_imperiled_by_spin.htm
    http://www.freindlyfirezone.com/national-news/item/232-corbett's-response-on-sandusky-fails-to-answer-questions

    Corbett and 2nd mile
    http://deadspin.com/5859802/past-and-present-board-members-of-the-second-mile-gave-a-combined-20178364-to-gov-corbetts-2010-campaign
    http://casablancapa.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-relationships.html
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/24/1102757/-Should-Gov-Corbett-Be-Investigated-for-In-Action-in-Sandusky-Case
    http://americanfreepress.net/?p=5335 (added 8/1)

    BOT donating to 2nd Mile
    http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/11/17/BOT_donating_to_second_mile.aspx

    Lance Shaner
    http://politicker.com/2012/07/sandusky/

    Joe Paterno never tampered in Justice System
    http://www.statecollege.com/news/columns/district-judge-never-once-any-sign-paterno-tampered-in-justice-system-988524/

    Vicky Triponey credibility
    http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/penn_state_official_denies_rep.html
    http://safeguardoldstate.org/the-vicky-triponey-timeline-of-terror/
    http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2004/08/31/process_for_groups_defies_student_rights.aspx
    http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/psu?before=1322068631
    http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2008/09/16/a_year_later_triponey_resignat.aspx
    http://www.kingwoodunderground.com/topic.jsp?topicId=11735271

    Mark Emmert
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2018791158_guest30kenarmstrong.html (added 7/31)
    http://mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20110112/Accuser%27s-father-speaks-out-about-UW-rape-investigation/
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004177723_uwrapecase12m.html
    “As always, criminal justice proceedings, if any, take precedence over any NCAA actions.”
    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/11/ncaa-says-it-is-monitoring-developments-at-syracuse/1 (added 8/2)
    “A head coach is not required to investigate wrongdoing, but is expected to recognize potential NCAA violations, address them and report them to the athletics administration.”
    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2012-07-31/ncaa-sanctions-central-florida-postseason-ban/56608682/1#.UBhKeo0Q0LM.mailto (added 8/2)

    Other University Scandals Opening Pandoras Box
    Does the NCAA now go after The Citadel for their child abuse cover up?
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/the-citadel-faces-child-a_n_1092348.html
    Or Notre Dame football for putting a kid into harms way that lead to his death?
    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5736851
    Or University of Virginia for the lacrosse death.
    http://abcnews.go.com/US/yeardley-loves-mother-sue-lacross-coaches-daughters-death/story?id=16279118

    Victim doesn’t agree with sanctions
    http://www.wgal.com/news/susquehanna-valley/state/Victim-No-4-s-attorney-talks-about-PSU-sanctions/-/9758860/15655368/-/t4e8fgz/-/index.html#ixzz21YPBNUrJ

  • Jon KIng says:

    What a backwards opinion. The only reason for the cover up was to protect the football program. Had Paterno made sure Sandusky was punished, the man who designed the winning defense, the program would have been rocked and the top recruits would go elsewhere.

    By hiding Sandusky all that time the program’s reputation remained intact and gave them a direct on the field advantage by keeping the top recruits coming. The cover up, by Paterno, gave him some of those wins.

  • Jon KIng says:

    Stop saying Paterno told his bosses. He HAD NO BOSSES. He threw them out when they asked him to retire.

    Paterno told them NOT to report Sandusky in 2001 and that is what they did, followed Paterno’s orders.

  • What? says:

    “All Paterno was guilty of is not manning up and telling the police that Sandusky had abused children”. Seriously? All Joe Paterno did was choose to protect HIS football program rather than tell the police that Sandusky abused children. All Joe Paterno did was choose to protect HIS legacy rather than tell the police that Sandusky abused children. How can you trivialize these choices- they were were wrong on every level- PSU is a University not a football team and PSU was not instituted to serve Joe Paterno- rather Joe Paterno was paid to serve PSU. Sadly Mr. Paterno is dead and cannot be questioned or charged for his part in the crimes he supported through his coverup. I applaud the NCAA for taking this very meaningful step of removing the fruits Joe Paterno criminal behavior.