With our now sensationalized, National Enquirer style media, there has been no story as titillating, and as devastating, as the story of the week: The Penn State Sex Scandal.
As one whose father is an alumnist of Penn State University, what has transpired this past week in the reporting of this media gorge has been downright hysterical, and has maligned an 84 year old man, and coach of a football program that is truly unparalleled in the halls of football history. A man who has coached his teams to victory after victory, and was in his 61st coaching year.
As one who also lived through the Frank Kush/Kevin Rutledge travesty way back when, I have more questions than answers in the "findings of fact" by this Grand Jury, and also what transpired during the case that has been the linchpin of the investigation, the "fondling" of a ten year old in the Penn State locker room by a hallowed Penn State Assistant Coach over nine years ago…
Isn’t there a statute of limitations on such crimes…and if not, isn’t the accused in this country once again afforded the opportunity to enter their plea, and have an opportunity to refute the facts and evidence that was the basis of this Grand Jury indictment?
On the news today was the testimony of a young man that claimed that during one of the "camping" outings wherein he was driven to their destination by Mr. Sandusky (the accused), it never occurred to him until now that each time they drove to any event, Mr. Sandusky put his hand on his left thigh. An ominous accusation, to be sure. A coach and father figure placing their hand on a young man’s thigh – there must be some statute against that, shouldn’t there be?
But what has transpired with respect to JoePa has been just to incredible to believe.
The incident in question was related to him by a man that is still employed by Penn State and a member of their football staff.
Who, in fact, is in charge of recruiting for the team (JoePa is, after all, 84 and those recruiting trips by most universities are not handled by the head coach, but their assistants in almost all universities across the nation).
It was he that did not report the incident to the police, but went to Mr. Paterno instead…his boss, as it were.
Even though he should have known if what transpired as he has claimed as an eyewitnesses would be a criminal matter, outside the purview of the university to begin with…when all Joe Paterno had was "hearsay."
JoePa’s current contract was set to expire in 2012, although with a winning season at this point (8-1, with only Alabama in the loss column, a team which played #1 LSU last week in a nail biter), if he truly was sane and not demented as many of his enemies have claimed, would merit at least another season of coaching since this man coaches better from the Skybox than most do from the sidelines.
What a despicable end to an illustrious career.
And as one who lived in Nebraska for many years during the Osborn years, I will be rooting for Penn State this Saturday, despite my divided loyalties and more close connection to Nebraska.
For JoePa.
And my Dad, who remembers Paterno’s very first season…
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