Penn State Child Sex Scandal - The buck stops with Joe Paterno
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To Penn State Students
It is with a heavy heart that I write this open letter to the students at Penn State.
Dear Penn State Students:
I love Penn State, Penn State football, and Joe Paterno. There is do doubt of that. Penn State has been part of my entire life. I did not attend school there, but Penn State is in my blood. "We Are Penn State" has been part of my home and family since I was a child. I have known of Joe Paterno longer than you have. I have looked up to him with respect and admiration for the great football program he ran at the university.
My father was a Penn State graduate, my uncle is a retired professor at Penn State and also a former dean at the university, and three cousins work and/or teach at Penn State, and their children attend and work at Penn State. Several other cousins of mine and their children have graduated from Penn State or are attending Penn State now. I have attended Penn State games at Beaver Stadium, and I have tailgated at Penn State. I have walked the campus so many times, attended the July art festival on campus, eaten at the restaurants, visited cousins in the dorms, seen cousins married at the Chapel at Penn State and attended receptions and other special events at the Inn at Penn State and on the Penn State campus. Penn State is one of the loveliest universities in Pennsylvania and in America and Penn State has always stood as the epitome of a state university to me for all my life.
But now, not all is happy in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are rocked by a child sex scandal that has been going on for the past 15 years and your beloved JoePa is gone from college football and the university. I know how angry and frustrated you are and you have lashed out in frustration against the university, police and residents of State College, PA. You are stunned and disappointed that the great football coach and team that brought you to the university to seek higher education is gone. Joe Paterno is like a father to you so you nicknamed him JoePa to show how you honor him, and you are heatbroken and sad that he is gone without a chance to speak for himself and answer his critics in this situation.
I have to tell you that the Board of Trustees of Penn State University made the right decision in firing Joe Paterno and the president of the university, because the buck stops with both of them. I am saddened, but the decision was a right one. This is the grown up world and those in the highest positions are ultimately responsible for the programs under them.
As students, it is time for you to readjust your moral compass. Although we all love Joe Paterno and the great heights he has taken Penn State to, this is not about you, Joe Paterno, the football team, the university or the president of the university. This is about many young, minor boys that were raped and abused by an assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, under the employ of Penn State, Joe Paterno, and the football program. It is these young boys that are the victims here. Not you and not Joe Paterno.
Joe Paterno fumbled the ball on this down. The most important down Joe Paterno ever played. When allegations of witnessed sexual abuse were reported to him, Joe Paterno did pass on the information to his superiors. But then he stopped. He should have immediately fired or at least suspended Sandusky until an investigation could be completed. JoePa didn't protect the young boys that looked up to him. And now these boys have been scarred for the rest of their lives. Their innocence and childhoods have been stolen from them for the sexual pleasure of an adult, a coach, and an authority figure. JoePa was not a father to these boys, did not protect them, and callously chose his football team over young, minor innocent boys. This is wrong and could not be tolerated.
I am sorry to say, there is no explanation Joe Paterno could have given at a press conference to absolve him of these sins. The Board of Trustees knew this and that is why they cancelled his press conference. Joe Paterno had to go, because when he was given the responsiblility of running an honest football program, he fumbled in the most aggregious way. He irresponsibly caused pain, abuse and rape to young boys. Joe Paterno was the head football coach and responsible for those he employed as assistant coaches. Therefore the buck stopped with Joe Paterno.
Learn from the tragic mistakes made by Joe Paterno, the football program and the university. Learn that not all that happens at the university is about you, the students. Learn that you must have empathy and compassion for the true victims of this scandal - the boys. Learn that when you fumble the ball, there are consequences. Will you recover the ball, make the right decision, and ultimately make a touchdown, or will you lose the ball and at the game of life as Joe Paterno did?
Sincerely,
suzettenaples
Note: I am well aware that Jerry Sandusky had emeritus status with the football program at Penn State University when he was recently arrested. From what I have researched from the news (and that is all we have to go on right now and the grand jury report) Jerry Sandusky did not have emeritus status in 1998 when one of the boys reported what had happened to him. This is when I believe Joe Paterno should have gotten rid of Sandusky. Paterno didn't have to go along with allowing Sandusky to receive emeritus status upon retirement. In 2002, when this abuse was reported to him, he should have seen that Sandusky was banned from being around the football program. This is when I believe Paterno should have done more than just mere reporting to Penn State officials.
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Thank you for reading this Hyphen. I know my opinion is not a popular one right now, but I had to write this. We are all so distressed and heartbroken over these boys in my family and extended family. We actually know Joe Paterno. My aunt and uncle have held receptions for him in his honor when he has won national championships and when John Capelleti won the Heisman Trophy. My family and extended family have given his football program big money over the years. We are sick about this. Joe Paterno has no excuses for what has happened. My grandmother was one of his biggest fans and donors. I'm thankful she is dead right now. She's probably turning over in her grave.
We are into football in my family as my nephew plays football for the University of Toledo in Ohio. Thank God he didn't go to Ohio State or Penn State. I just hope Toledo doesn't have any scandals.
I'm almost hoping we find out Joe Paterno has alzheimers or dementia. The victims are those boys whose childhhoods and innocence has been stolen from them in the name of Penn State football. It is unconscionable. Well, I could go on and on. Enough.
No it probably is not popular, I cannot believe what those kids did because that coach was fired and now they are all changed giving a minute to the abused. Wow, how about the umpteen years more than two men let that pedophile as you called him come right there to that school and abuse little boys! They knew it! This looks very bad for that whole school and you are right, if at least two men don't go to jail something is very wrong I don't care how old they are! Possibly a mother too, if she took a payoff!
Jackie: Thank you for reading and commenting. I find this whole situation reprehensible. Despite what all the news anchors are saying, I hold Joe Paterno ultimately responsible because he hired the coach, it was reported to him of the abuse, and Paterno did report it to superiors, but he should have removed the coach from his staff immediately. Not to do that I find reprehensible. I can't believe the entire university overlooked this in the name of Penn State football. Our country's values and morals have gone down the toilet as far as I'm concerned. I had to write this, it just bothered me so. I know, the students cared more for their coach than those boys whose lives are ruined. I can't believe it.
Very thoughtful!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I enjoyed your hub also.
You are right, I think we are going to find so many Americans not wanting to be politically incorrect on this and that is really true here at hubs. When it comes to something like this though there is no two ways, there is only the right way and I think you should be proud of yourself for standing up for what is right although it is more personal for you than most of us.
I know. I've known this man all my life and admired him, respected him and looked up to him. I even wanted my nephew, a football player, to play for him. Thank God my nephew is at the University of Toledo. I hope they don't have a scandal. I am also a retired teacher and I know what should be done when something like this happens. I am amazed that Joe Paterno kept Sandusky as an assistant coach and didn't get rid of him.
I know, I shouldn't take it so personally, but I am shocked that this went on and so many people knew about it. No matter how great Joe Paterno was as a football coach, he fumbled the ball on this one.
This is an excellent letter/hub. This scandal is a tragedy on so many levels. Obviously the first if for the boys and their families. I am heartbroken for what has happened to them. It's also a tragedy that a University would protect their image and their assistant football coach over the lives of children. Joe Paterno was not a very good leader if he couldn't deal with Sandusky. It seems obvious now that multiple people knew what he was doing. Horrifying! Lastly that McQueary and a janitor would watch a rape is progress and do nothing is unthinkable. Thank you for your letter to the students. This is a life lesson they will need to take on and hopefully process so they go into life knowing right from wrong.
I was amazed by the outpouring of support for this man. Despite all of his accomplishments, despite how well of a program he ran, despite all of the great players he nurtured through the process, he let little boys continue to be raped, and his OWN moral compass, his OWN humanity is deeply flawed. Putting self and university over innocent lives is never honorable, never dignified, and never deserves respect.
EVEN IF this man were a heavily decorated soldier who did great things for our country, THIS sort of action would equally trump the hero aspect. You simply cannot turn a blind eye to children being raped because the powers that be say it's been looked into. That's for the police to decide, and Joe Paterno should have been vigilantly pursuing that option when the university closed it's doors on the matter. I still can't figure out how the guy could sleep at night knowing what he knew? It would have bothered me to the core.
The students are obviously misguided, and I think they are also, unfortunately, not all that smart. The power to analyze a situation for all of its parts seems absent from their minds. Their energy and anger should be directed AT Paterno, and if they should feel something for anyone, it should be for those little boys who fell victim. How many boys would NOT have been raped if Paterno would have manned up and stepped up to the plate when it mattered?
Hi, living in England I didn't hear about this, but this is appalling, especially for the young boys, it must have been such a shock for you, I totally agree, if the students are on his side they are not seeing the bigger picture, and sadly thats what happens when they are at school, when they leave they will realise that the world doesn't revolve around them, but at the moment all they can think of is themselves, at the least he messed up, and at the most it doesn't bare thinking about, cheers nell
Had to stop by a read yours as well. On the money and especially insightful as some one that has seen the inside of the program. Great work.
Informative and thoughtful article. I just read an interesting article about the murder of Kitty Genovese and the way witnesses sometimes see something happening and do nothing. The article discusses the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility which seems to apply to this Penn State scandal. It's impossible to understand how it could go on for years; there must be even more details that will come to light. Those poor boys; I can't even think what punishment is severe enough for Sandusky. Surely Joe Paterno and the young guy who was a witness and didn't intervene and anyone else who knew what was happening will have a hard time sleeping at night.
There has been speculation that Sandusky may have had something on Paterno to blackmail him into silence - possibly recruiting violations, or other NCAA violations. That does not excuse his silence by any means. As a father of 2 young children, I would have taken immediate action upon hearing news of such atrocities. Quite possibly to the extent where I would end up in legal trouble myself. I think it's the responsibility of any adult, especially those with children of their own, to protect the lives and well-being of children.
For someone like Joe Paterno (whose entire life revolves around football and his own legacy), something like a recruiting violation could have ruined his career. But, as a father of 5, he should have known that protecting these young children was more important than his career and legacy.
Chasing Riley: I'm a retired teacher and felt the need and responsibliity to "teach" a small lesson here to Penn State students. I want them to realize the true victims here and there are more important aspects of life than Penn State football. Having been around the campus all my life, I know they literally think of Joe Paterno as a god. Had to believe, I know, but he has that status in State College. My family is just sick and appalled by this and can't believe he would know about this and do nothing. I'm just flabbergasted.
springboard: Thank you for reading and commenting. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Joe Paterno is the person who should have done something about Sandusky. That he didn't is really aggregious in my opinion. Joe Paterno has god status with the people and university in State College. This is what is wrong when we elevate people to god status - when their human flaws are revealed we are stunned and disappointed - but we do that to ourselves by elevating Paterno to god status. Society as a whole needs its moral compass readjusted. This is a black and white situation - right and wrong - there is no gray area or in between area - Joe Paterno is wrong and is culpable for having Sandusky on his staff, especially for as long as he did. My aunt tells me that Paterno did not attend Sandusky's retirement dinner when Sandusky retired. But, why was Sandusky allowed so much access to the team, the locker room and these boys?
Great article. I agree with you, however I just wanted to point out Sandusky wasn't actually on the staff, he just had emeritus status after retiring. Not that it matters in the grand scheme, because Joe still should have done more to at least make sure the man wasn't allowed on campus anymore, but I think it should be known he wasnt on his staff at the time.
Hi Nell: I'm sorry you had to learn of this from me. It is a sad chapter in college football in our country and for Penn State, which is really a great academic university with a fine academic reputation. This will overshadow the good things happening a Penn State for a long time. My cousins work at the university and feel so badly for the young boys that went through this. None of them are involved in the football program, but are fine professors, researchers, and administrators at the university and this overshadows all the good these good people do. I'm just flabbergasted at the whole situation.
I'd much rather be reading about darling, handsome vampires, that's for sure!
krjpublishing: Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this, and for your kind comments. This has been hard for me because I have looked up to Joe Paterno for so many years. My cousins and I are just in shock and so disappointed in him. I thought I had seen and heard everything and then this happens. It really is sad and tragic on so many levels.
Silva Hayes: This is so sad and tragic on so many levels. I, too, am interested in the whole story which I think will come out drip, drip, drip. I can't even imagine anyone looking the other way in a situation like this. Being a retired teacher, we are educated in how to handle situations like this. The culpability of so many at the university is frightning. I think we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in this case.
gehrig4: Yes, you are correct and I didn't mean to misconstrue anything. Sandusky was on the staff many years ago when this was going on and Paterno knew about it. Yes, Sandusky does have emeritus status now and what was the university thinking giving it to him and why didn't Paterno stop this honor being given to Sandusky? This is all the "good old boys" network. Just awful!
I thank you for reading and commenting! I appreciate the input.
Will1015: Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate your input.
Yes,I agree with you. Sandusky must have something on Paterno for Paterno to look the other way for so long. It just doesn't make sense, and it is not the Paterno we know. This is so sad on so many levels. I can't imagine not caring about minor boys being abused.
I'm glad you wrote this hub. I agree with you. I recognize Joe Pat was a legend, but that doesn't absolve him of responsibility. Voted up and interesting.
Marcy: Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this and for your support. This was a difficult hub to write, but I felt someone had to step up and say "wait a minute" Joe Pa is responsible. Some members of my own family don't even agree with me. I do feel so sorry at his passing and I'm sure this incident hurried his demise. It is just a sad, sad story on so many levels.
suzette....I'm glad I just came across this hub...only 2 days ago, my husband and I were discussing this scandal and wondering what the status may be on Sandusky's case.
I realize your topic is Joe Pa and I fully agree with you on Joe's big error and his being fired (rest his soul, at this point)......
but I do want to comment on the scum bag himself, Sandusky. I work as a victim's advocate....alot of children and some women. There are no words for me to fully convey the degree of disgust and scorn I have for Sandusky and others like him. There are far too many. In fact,the numbers are staggering.
Quite frankly, Suzette, I literally could NOT look at this man on the TV screen, without feeling rage and nausea. THIS is moreso the result of his CURRENT attitude...after the fact of his crimes.
I will tell you firmly and clearly. This individual (I refuse to call him a man)...is the epitome...CLASSIC example of a hard core, pathological pedophile of the worst kind...and yes, there are types and degrees of pedophiles. HE represents the worst of them all.
Further....the few who were exposed publicly as "knowing" or at least having some knowledge of Sandusky's criminal & deplorable activity...is but a drop in the bucket of ALL who really knew and had known.
There is not enough shame or punishment in the world to go around. MRS. Sandusky included. She made me totally sick as well. NO woman is married to and lives with a pedophile for decades without KNOWING his sins....with the possible exception that she is a deaf, blind and dumb MORON. Those, suzette are her only 2 choices.
I'm sorry that I know what I'm talking about, but the reality is, I do. Thank you for this hub. Wow, did I vent, or what?
fphej48: It is perfectly ok to vent. We all need to do that sometimes. It is good to hear from you as you are a professional in this field. My heart breaks for those boys. Sandusky is scum and JoePa did have an inkling this was going on back in the 1990's and he did nothing. I realize Sandusky was retired at the time of these last accusations, but JoePa should not have allowed Sandusky to have keys to the locker room. NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE, ever told JoePa how to run his football program. He should have done something about Sandusky in the 90's. My family in State College knows JoePa personally and can confirm that statement. JoePa should have retired about 10 years ago - Penn State wanted him to and he should have gone along with it. I feel for the Paterno family, but JoePa did this to himself, just as Sandusky has done this to himself.
I know that JoePa has died of a broken heart, and I feel the man's entire life should be judged, not just the time Sandusky worked for him. But I firmly believe that JoePa dropped the ball by not taking responsibility at the time and firing or suspending Sandusky pending an investigation in the 90's. This is such a sad, sad story.
Thank you for reading and commenting. It is so good to hear your opinion on this!
Hyphenbird Level 8 Commenter 6 months ago
I do not follow football, but have heard a bit about this scandal. It is a tragedy and unconscionable. Everyone involved should spend time in prison just like any other pedophile and the ones who assist him/her in the abuse of children.