The Joe Paterno Controversy

Former Pennsylvania State University football coach was buried today.  He was a near-legendary man, having coached at the university for 62 years (47 as the head coach.)  He was loved by millions of people, including me, because he represented hard work, integrity, and personal responsibility.  He demonstrated that one can win while staying strictly within the rules and that advancing age does not have to be an impediment to one who continues to work hard.  He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and ended his coaching career with two national championships and an overall record of 409 wins, 136 losses, and 3 ties.

The reason I am writing about Coach Paterno on this blog is the scandal which ended his coaching career.  On 5 November 2011, one of Joe Paterno’s former assistant coaches, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested on 40 counts of sexual abuse of eight young boys over a 15 year period.  Some of the offenses occurred on the Penn State campus.

The investigation determined that Coach Paterno was made aware of at least one of the events by a subordinate.  Fulfilling his legal obligation, Coach Paterno reported the information to his immediate supervisor and then said nothing else.  On 7 January 2012, Coach Paterno was relieved of his duties (the university president was also dismissed) by the university for his failure to do more. Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said “… whether you’re a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building, I think you have a moral responsibility to call us.”

Coach Paterno died of lung cancer on 22 January 2012.  At his funeral the sentiment was clear; that he was treated badly and did not deserve to be dismissed.  His son, Jay Paterno said, “Joe Paterno left this world with a clear conscience.”  Tom Corbett, the Governor of the State of Pennsylvanua said, “His legacy as the winningest coach in major college football and his generosity to Penn State as an institution and to his players, stand as monuments to his life … His place in our state’s history is secure.”

As I said at the start of this post, though I never met him, did not attend the university, and have never been to State College, Pennsylvania, I loved Coach Paterno for what he represented: personal responsibility.  That is why my disappointment in him is so great.  At the moment when he could have stood up as a Christian man and, regardless of the consequences, done what was morally proper, he seems to have turned and retreated into his house.