Will the Board of Trustees at Penn State do the right thing for Jerry Sandusky's abuse victims and the victims' families and tell Joe Paterno he has to go now and not at the end of the season?
One must hand it to Paterno. He obviously still feels as though he has more power than the board or anyone else in the Penn State hierarchy:
"That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can," Paterno said.
Unbelievable. "Make this as easy for them as I possibly can."
Joe, your moral authority and standing are gone. You have zero credibility. Your incredibly brazen attempt to salvage your reputation only makes you appear even more morally bereft. If you really want to "make this as easy for them as you possibly can," you should resign immediately.
And if you don't, the board better step up or risk making themselves and the university a worldwide laughing stock.
Yesterday's impromptu "pep rally" for Paterno by several hundred students was disturbing, to say the least. I understand that Paterno is a revered figure on campus and even across the country, but his actions in this case are inexcusable and indefensible.
If Paterno is permitted to step onto the field as head coach for even the next game, let alone the rest of the season, it will signal that he has been given a pass. And it will be a monumental slap in the face to the victims of these horrendous crimes.
Having read the grand jury findings, it is clear that Paterno was told that one of his assistants witnessed Jerry Sandusky performing anal rape on a young boy. Paterno's own statement, read by his son Scott several days ago, essentially denied the assistant's sworn testimony that he detailed precisely what he had seen to Paterno.
So who is lying? And, regardless, does it make any difference? Paterno, by simply kicking the allegations up to his superiors, has lost any moral standing or authority. It is a shame his career has to end this way. But, then, it's a much larger shame that he didn't do anything to protect innocent children from a vicious predator when he knew the truth.
I certainly hope the Penn State board will show the fortitude to do the right thing and make Paterno step aside immediately.
Letting him back onto the field would show an egregious disregard for these victims.
9:42 AM PT: As I note in the comments, below, if Paterno is permitted to step onto the field on Saturday, he will likely receive a roaring, thunderous standing ovation.
And I just can't imagine how the victims and their families will feel.
For me, it will break my heart and enrage me at the same time.
And I think that will be true on a much deeper level for the victims and their families.
10:44 AM PT: And the local paper in State College, PA now includes local reactions to Paterno's retirement announcement.
See anything lacking in the piece? I do. It's any concern for the victims. And as I note in my previous update and in the comments, Paterno is going to be treated like a hero if he is permitted to step onto the field on Saturday.
From the story:
"He’s meant so much to this University and to the community, far more than his coaching successes, and Saturday truly is going to be one of the most emotional days in Penn State's history. I’m looking forward to being in the stands at Beaver Stadium on Saturday from kickoff to the final whistle, and I know it’s going to be an emotional game regardless of the outcome. It’ll be surreal to think that this will be the last time we see him on the sidelines.”
It's all about Joe and his feelings. Look, I understand that people love him. But if he had half of the moral qualities that people have long ascribed to him, his first instinct should be to do no more harm to the victims and the families than has already been done.
Stepping onto the field before cheering throngs after having it revealed that you were told that a former colleague had been seen anally raping a 10-year-old boy -- and doing nothing more about it then reporting it to your Athletic Director -- will be yet another crushing blow to victims who, once again, will see themselves dismissed in favor of sentiment for a beloved coach.
One more slap...
11:46 AM PT: A Lehigh Valley columnist writes that Paterno has to go now:
Joe Paterno cannot be allowed to coach one more game for Penn State.
Paterno's announcement Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the
season is, like the rest of Penn State's response to this devastating,
disgusting and demoralizing scandal, not good enough.
Not nearly good enough.
If Paterno wants to walk away with one scrap of honor left, he should
step down right now, let his staff coach on Saturday and let Penn State
as an institution and community begin what will be a long healing
process.
...
Does Penn State really want the sight of 100,000 people in Beaver
Stadium on Saturday either a) booing and reviling the old man or b) even
worse, cheering and supporting an alleged nonreporter of child abuse?
I agree. The board must step up and do what's right for the victims and the institution.
12:05 PM PT: Spanier will be gone by the end of the day, according to reports.
Paterno should be gone with him.
8:26 PM PT: So Paterno did try to end run the board. Now he's out. And he should be.
All of those who had knowledge of Sandusky's actions and didn't do their utmost to put an end to his actions bear responsibility and need to be held accountable.