Joe Paterno. A friend a great man, but in the end the tragedy is not in his passing.

[Roy Firestone]

Martin Luther King once said "Our lives begin to end the day we are silent on
things that matter".
How profound and ironic that quote is.
I firmly believe that Paterno's inability to follow up on the Sandusky allegations
was not merely a mistake, but a tragic and horrible choice of inaction that may
have led to more suffering and horror.
That said, Paterno was a great and good man who I considered a good friend.
I did many many interviews with him and I believe he did far more for Penn State
than any other one person in the schools history. Millions for the school's library
and
endowments in other programs were all made possible by his generous and
selfless caring.
This man cannot be judged soley by the grievous policies..and make no mistake,
they will dishonor his legacy and taint his name forever. But that makes it even
sadder. But there are far more tragic scenarios here than Joe Paterno's legacy.

[sangar]

This guy looked the other way when one of his coaches was molesting little boys. As far as I'm concerned he was as guilty as the pervert. Good riddance.

[sangar]

Mitch Conner: You can neg rep me from here to eternity and tell me to keep my opinions to myself 1,000 times more. I couldn't care less.

I'd much rather hear your defense of Paterno.

[33rdst]

This guy looked the other way when one of his coaches was molesting little boys. As far as I'm concerned he was as guilty as the pervert. Good riddance.

I don't know how to react to this.. Did writing that make you feel better somehow? Are you so sure of what you're charging in this fit of sanctimonious outrage. Paterno is gone, his name forever linked to a miserable wretch who has engendered the worst feelings in all of us. This will be punishment enough for Paterno. RIP Joe.

[O's Fan From PA]

This guy looked the other way when one of his coaches was molesting little boys. As far as I'm concerned he was as guilty as the pervert. Good riddance.

To say he looked the other way is a blatant lie he reported what he was told. He admitted he should have followed up to make sure something was done. Where is your outrage at the person who saw it happen and then left to call is dad and did not report this till the following day to Paterno. Let me ask you this what would have you done different if you told the police would you have called them everyday or would you have left it at that.

[crissfan172]

RIP Joe. Thankfully you don't have to hear about what a "horrible" person you are anymore. We all know that is about as far from the truth as anything could possibly be. Hopefully you can pass on your strength to your family so they can deal with your loss and the ignorant comments that will surely come their way. Goodbye Joe, and thank you for everything you've done. I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for you.

[utvolzac]

To say he looked the other way is a blatant lie he reported what he was told. He admitted he should have followed up to make sure something was done. Where is your outrage at the person who saw it happen and then left to call is dad and did not report this till the following day to Paterno. Let me ask you this what would have you done different if you told the police would you have called them everyday or would you have left it at that.

The thing I had a problem with was the fact that even after the first report in 98 and the second report in 02, they still allowed Sandusky to have access to the facilities and run youth football camps. And I don't believe any of that happens w/o Joe Pa's approval. That's the part that tarnishes his legacy for me.

That said, he is an icon to alot of people and by all accounts seemed to be a good person. So I can understand why a lot of people still respect him on those merits.

[sangar]

I don't doubt that Paterno was a great coach. I'm sure in many ways he was a good man and a good human being. I just can't justify condoning atrocious behavior in the name of football. Anyone with common sense knows child molestors do not stop, ever.

He had to know.

[Roy Firestone]

I don't doubt that Paterno was a great coach. I'm sure in many ways he was a good man and a good human being. I just can't justify condoning atrocious behavior in the name of football. Anyone with common sense knows child molestors do not stop, ever.

He had to know.

Of course he knew. Of course he was a kind of accomplice in this horrible tragedy. Of course he had deep sorrow for not having done more.Of course his leagcy is tainted forever and should be.
Exactly where do you see my post as "condoning
atrocious behavior in the name of football"? Or anyone else's? Im just asking.

[sangar]

Also, I want to apologize to any of my friends I've offended with my gut reaction. Perhaps Mitch was right, my timing was not good.

RIP Joe.

[sangar]

Of course he knew. Of course he was a kind of accomplice in this horrible tragedy. Of course he had deep sorrow for not having done more.Of course his leagcy is tainted forever and should be.
Exactly where do you see my post as "condoning
atrocious behavior in the name of football"? Or anyone else's? Im just asking.

Not you Roy, I didn't mean that at all. Joe looked the other way and by doing so he condoned Sandusky's acts.

[Frobby]

I see Paterno as a very good human being, who helped many people in his life, who made a terrible misjudgment in this instance that probably hurt a lot of people. You don't forgive that misjudgment, nor do you judge his whole life on it.

[GotNitro]

I see Paterno as a very good human being, who helped many people in his life, who made a terrible misjudgment in this instance that probably hurt a lot of people. You don't forgive that misjudgment, nor do you judge his whole life on it.

Well said, Frobby.

[Bradysburns]

I see Paterno as a very good human being, who helped many people in his life, who made a terrible misjudgment in this instance that probably hurt a lot of people. You don't forgive that misjudgment, nor do you judge his whole life on it.

I'm a dad myself, and I understand the gut response of wanting to see some frontier justice in this case. I really, really do. In fact, under certain circumstances, I could see myself getting swept up into the torch-carrying mob. And I do understand Sangar's anger. It's justifiable.

But not being willing to forgive someone's misjudgment, like ever? And just plain saying I would never forgive? No. I would not be willing to carry around that poison forever. There's wisdom in the old saying: I forgive, but I will never forget.

Forgiveness is about letting go of the poison - within you and within the other person. Forgiveness, to me, is about not giving the other person, or their actions, power over my own emotional state. Forgiveness is never a bad thing, because it's part of the healing process. It is NOT about excusing, or rationalizing, or forgetting. That's my humble opinion.

Whatever happens to the legacy of Joe Pa, it will definitely be linked with this situation. That is indeed a tragedy in its own right, by definition. But it doesn't overshadow what happened to these kids.

Sandusky now must face the justice system, and his accusers. I just pray that justice is done, and that these kids heal and live whole and happy lives in spite of it all. Meanwhile, I definitely feel for EVERYONE involved in this case. So what is the solution? I dunno. There's justice by the law, first. But it leaves me wondering: Where did this come from? If Sandusky is indeed guilty of these actions, where did he learn this? It seems likely that somewhere along the line, he was the victim of horrible psychic violence. Usually, this kind of stuff doesn't just come out of the blue.

[UCBird]

I see Paterno as a very good human being, who helped many people in his life, who made a terrible misjudgment in this instance that probably hurt a lot of people. You don't forgive that misjudgment, nor do you judge his whole life on it.

Categorizing it as a "misjudgment" is simply wrong. Paterno had to have known about the 1998 investigation of Sandusky and there is no doubt he had knowledge of the 2001 incident (after McQueary told him). He made a calculated decision to ignore/minimize the issue, and many children suffered as a result. That is simply unforgiveable.