On The Passing Of Joe Paterno
by BoilerTMill on Jan 22, 2012 10:40 AM EST
in Football
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PrintOne of the greatest things about being in the Big Ten is that all the programs feel connected. Even Penn State and Nebraska, who have entered the conference within my lifetime, feel like extended family members now. Therefore, when Penn State and the college football community lost Joe Paterno this morning I feel like the conference as a whole will mourn.
The ending of his career was certainly the worst possible ending for a legend, but let's focus on the man. Here was someone that was humble and loved many he came in contact with. He never insisted on a Saban-esque contract extension or cult of personality around him. He gave millions back to Penn State instead of taking millions in return. He was everything that most of college football is not these days. In many ways, he was the grandfather of the entire Penn State community.
One of the coolest things I have been privileged to do because of this blog was meet JoePa last July. I never imagined when I started this place in August 2006 that I would be considered a competent member of the legitimate media. I wrote (and still write) as a starry-eyed fan given incredible access to these events. In July, Joe Pa was in his usual form: surrounded by the media spinning yarns like the grandfather-figure he was. It's hard to believe that everything that has happened in the six months hence has happened.
In October Mrs. T-Mill and I went to Happy Valley for the Purdue game and what would be one of JoePa's final games as coach. It was one of the most pleasant experiences of my sports fan life. Seeing it up close, you could tell that Penn State football was JoePa, and JoePa was Penn State football.
I honestly think this whole ordeal with Sandusky is what sent him over the edge. After all, he was an 85-year-old man. It doesn't take much to send someone over the edge when you reach that age. We may never know exactly what JoePa knew about an evil man such as Sandusky, but to me, the man died of a broken heart.
I'm honored that I got to be in the presence of a legend this past year, even if for a brief few minutes. It is my hope that the Sandusky scandal eventually clears his name so he can be remembered for the wonderful human being he was.
If you know a Penn State fan today, give them some comfort. I know a few, and they will be grieving bitterly today like they lost a family member. Thank you, JoePa, for the good you did for college football and the world.
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Nice write up. Got the story on ESPN and they left the comments open – and, not surprisingly, the comments are awful. Just sad that ESPN got outdone by CNN on the story so they beat it into the ground….
by SmallMarketBigPlays on Jan 22, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions
Thank you.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012
Sandusky is ALLEGEDLY evil
but probably evil. Most people 5-10 years down the road will still probably remember him for the Sandusky thing, which is a shame, because I feel like he was a good guy trying to do things cautiously and correctly, but ended up coming short in the end.
I don't know.
Now that the media firestorm/lynch mob has sleazed on to the next target of opportunity, I think most people have kinda concluded that Paterno is well down the list of people to blame for this. He’s certainly behind MacQueary, Curley, and Schultz on the cover-up blame. Of course, Sandusky himself is in a whole other universe of evil, which I think has kind of gotten lost. I think the general feeling is that he handled a bad situation badly, and there is some sympathy for a man who did so much good.
I expect that 5-10 years from now this will be remembered much like the Woody Hayes punch. It’s mentioned, but people still remember him as a great coach.
"Hey Jay, what time is it?"
"9:30"
"AND IU STILL SUCKS!"
by Boiler Bandsman on Jan 22, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Woody Hayes punch?
Hardly. He enabled child rape for 13 years. Kids lives were ruined because some folks thought the PSU brand was more important than asking difficult and uncomfortable questions. Paterno was the most powerful man at that university, he is just as culpable as anyone.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
Hard to overcome certain things in life
Like when someone on your staff sexually abuses kids and you look the other way. Sandusky is not guilty in the court of law, i get that, but it doesn’t look good. Was winning at all costs important to Joe? You can decide that for yourself.
Joe is not a hero, that ‘s our US military. Let’s not forget who should have been looking out for the 20 plus kids whose lives changed forever. I personally have zero respect for the man. Could care less what he did on the football field. Wish he lived long enough to hear from the victims and what he could have prevented.
by ItsALLgood on Jan 22, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I couldn't agree more.
I graduated from Purdue in 1989 when the conference still had ten schools and have never felt any kinship with Penn State or Nebraska, hard for an old guy to change I suppose. I never thought Penn State joining the Big Ten made sense in the first place, unless television $$$ are all that matter, and given this sordid situation their inclusion in the conference has done nothing but tarnish it since they apparently knowingly allowed a sexual predator to run loose for nearly the entire time they have been a member of the B1G. One thing that has ran through my mind is as much as we Boilers used to like to give Bob Knight hell can you imagine a coach like him reacting to a similar situation in the manner Paterno did? I can’t. I think Paterno failed those kids and I agree it is a shame he won’t be around to see the damage that was done on his watch.
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 22, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
So, is Paterno a hero because he served a year in the Army in 1944-45?
by SpartanBoiler on Jan 22, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Always one of those ot there...
Hard to believe the folks celebrating his life. We all do great things in our lifetimes. However, most of us don’t allow a child rapist to hang around kids and do nothing in order to not “bring down the game”. The whole Sandusky thing is going to get worse before it gets better.
Prayers ought to go out to the innocent kids molested by the monster that Paterno protected and enabled.
I have less than zero respect for the man, his sins of omission outweigh whatever great things he did, on or off the gridiron, he failed morally in the worst way, he saw evil and chose to do NOTHING. Reading today in the media about his great courage and integrity makes me want to gag, the guy had the opportunity to make the tough choice and do the right thing but instead he chose the easy route which was to do nothing. He was a moral coward. History will judge JoePa and the judgement won’t be kind.
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well said
You sir, are the voice of reason amid a shit storm of ignorance.
"That rug really tied the room together..."
by SouthSideBoilermaker on Jan 22, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions
thank you
I am sad and exhausted from trying to explain a factual timeline of what happened. Lots of failure and blame here. Joe is the least of what went wrong here.
Consider this. Of ALL the people involved in the multitude of allegations, only two people (not including 2 mothers of victims) told anyone. Joe and Mike McQuery. Was it enough at the end. No. But they did something.
Commence calling me a brainwashed Paterno apologist/child abuse supporter
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
I agree, you are
“a brainwashed Paterno apologist/child abuse (sexual molestation enabling) supporter”
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
Except that Joe
was the most powerful person on that campus. Thus, he had a large amount of responsibility.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
"Wish he lived long enough to hear from the victims and what he could have prevented."
There’s more people to this than Joe Paterno, and they are still alive. The man is dead for God’s sake. What more do you want from him?
by bukowski_boiler on Jan 23, 2012 3:00 AM EST up reply actions
He died without football
Like Bear Bryant and Vince Lombardi.
Some men were put on this earth to coach the gridiron and he was one. Without it, he had no reason to continue.
It’s a sad day for sports fan as a whole. Joe Pa was the epitome of a living legend
Football recruiting guy for Hammer and Rails
Lead blogger for 5 other sites.
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Thank You
Joe Paterno is a great man that I have had the privilege of meeting multiple times. Those attacking his character are misguided. I pray for his family in this tragic ending to a great man’s life… a life that was largely lived for others.
by IndianapolisHoops on Jan 22, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions
Joe Pa's Legend
Cassius Clay, not wanting to risk his life of wealth and fame, changed his name in the early 70’s and went to jail for dodging the draft. Most argue he was “The Greatest” in the ring. No one can argue that he was one of the most divisive legends in sports history.
25 years later, nearly crippled with Parkinsons, Ali lit the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies of the1996 Olympic Games – and was aclaimed (by nearly all) as a beloved national treasure.
People, with time, remember greatness and forget the flaws.
Sleep well, Joe Pa.
"There's no hope until Hope is gone!"
Perspective is everything.
and time is the ultimate judge.
To your call once more we rally....
by BoilerPaulie on Jan 22, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
I saw it on twitter earlier today, and I think it's been a common sentiment here:
JoePa may have lung cancer as an official cause of death, but we all know that’s not true. He died of a broken heart.
RIP, Joe. You’ll be missed.
I still want to COME TO PENN SHHTTTAAAAATTEEEE and visit again sometime. The Bryce Jordan Center is still an outstanding item on my bucket list.
To your call once more we rally....
Best memory
A dorm mate and myself road tripped to Beaver Stadium to watch the game in 2004. Both teams entered the field, cheers for the Nittany Lions and boos for the Boilermakers (as expected). As the teams were practicing the entire stadium went into an uproar. I had no idea what was going on. As I looked onto the Penn State side of the field, JoePa just walked out and was giving high-fives to every single student on the front row at the game. It was one of the most amazing scenes I’ve ever seen personally. Truly a legend. RIP JoePa
"A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Very well put, T-Mill.
JoePa was a true class-act that will never be duplicated. I think those involved in college football, as well as all sports in general, should model themselves and their character after JoePa.
BOILERr UP!! Hoosiers DOWN!!
by sixmikey9 on Jan 22, 2012 8:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm sad too
It’s too bad what happened near the end of his life. I am left feeling he could’ve done more with the Sandusky incident. But I remember he did so much good for so long. That must count for a good deal.
If he did not do all he could have, maybe another good person hoping to follow in his footsteps will.
by Beavis Beefcake on Jan 22, 2012 10:24 PM EST reply actions
We may never know exactly what JoePa knew about an evil man such as Sandusky
uhhh, have you read the grand jury presentment? He knew plenty but turned a blind eye. He knew starting in 1999, that’s why Sandusky abruptly “retired.”
He enabled child rape for 13 years. Unfortunately, that is part of his legacy.
It is my hope that the Sandusky scandal eventually clears his name so he can be remembered for the wonderful human being he was.
Again…..read the grand jury presentment. I get the feeling you didn’t. His name isn’t going to be cleared.
If you know aPenn State fansexual abuse victim today, give them some comfort.
/fixed
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
do you know what a grand jury presentment is?
A one-sided document prepared by the prosecutor to make the accused look as evil as possible, no matter what
"There are too many Irish guys on this team"
Joesph Vincent Paterno
April, 2010
"A one-sided document prepared by the prosecutor to make the accused look as evil as possible, no matter what"
Are you shitting us?
Your hero Sandusky ADMITTED to showering with little boys and then his attorney put forth the story that Jerry soaped up their genitals with his hands because he needed to teach them “basic hygiene”. Who gets naked with little kids and showers with them and plays with their privates other than a pervert? Sandusky admitted to this and Paterno knew about it and did nothing and now you accuse the prosecutor of exaggerating the charges?
What the hell is wrong with you people? Do they teach right from wrong at Penn State University?
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
A follow up....
I can’t believe you guys are still defending the monster Sandusky. You should be ashamed, your school disgraces the B1G, we did without you for 100 years and you should be expelled from the conference because you’ve done nothing but bring shame upon the rest of us.
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
Testimony under oath...
Where McQueary testified to hearing “rhythmic slapping sounds,” saw Sandusky raping a 10 year old boy in the showers, and then told Mr. Paterno.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
Another good one...
http://blog.pennlive.com/davidjones/2012/01/joe_paterno_and_how_i_knew_him.html
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
perspective
And people need to gain some perspective. Example 1. The amount of times we do nothing when we hear of children that are victims of sex trade/ children solders in other countries.
Example 2. The punishment and conviction rate of said criminals that are accused of these crimes in our society. Example 3. Allowing criminals like this back into society once they were convicted.
Stupid analogy.
Given the chance to stop the sex trade or any other crime I will do so, Paterno had the chance and chose not to.
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
so you support a non profit that does so?
just curious, there are plenty of organizations out there that support this.
it's not a stupid analogy
it’s a perfect analogy. This are happening right under our noses and we do nothing about it.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/blog/28046-we-are-all-joe-paterno
here's an organization you can donate to
for all the people in this thread that say they would do something if they knew of sex crimes being committed to children step up
As a father who adopted 3 kids out of foster care...
…I just can’t help how some are holding Mr. Paterno in such high regard as a “Legend”. Before the Sandusky abuse came to light, I myself had respect for the man. I think he mostly lived a positive life and from what it sounds like he always put others first. What we now know is that he put other’s first, only if it was for the betterment of the “football program”. Him knowing that for the last 13 years that a child molester had complete access to the football program is appalling to me. Young kids are the most vulnerable out there, especially kids from the Second Mile Foundation, who were kids with such vulnerabilities. Sandusky is the real villain here, but knowing that a child molester has been walking amongst you for 13 years and doing nothing to stop because it may embarrass the program is appalling. Where was Paterno when it came to our most vulnerable – the kids?
Yes, the man has passed and I send my condolences to his family. But he lost my respect because he failed the ones that needed the most help because football was more important.
The difference between you and others
You think it was an intentional cover up to protect his football program. Others think it was miscommunication and uncertainty. From what I’ve heard McQueary was less than descriptive to Paterno and didn’t make it clear what happened. Paterno encouraged him to report it and then probably figured the other responsible adults, whose job it was to figure this stuff out, would figure this stuff out. If he knew for a fact everything that was going on, I doubt he’d ignore it.
I understand your point...
…but Paterno was a guy who is said to have always made the right decisions, put others first, and look beyond the importance of football. He was a smart guy. But blaming the most vile of vile crimes on miscommunication and uncertainty is silly to me, for a guy like Paterno. Paterno was Penn State, for good or for worse. If Sandusky was caught stealing meds from the physio room and it was covered up, that’s one thing. But he was caught molesting boys, which is on an entirely different level. I just don’t buy Paterno playing the ignorance game, claiming that he knew nothing beyond the point when he told the AD. Like I said, Paterno was Penn State. He was the manager. He was the one in charge.
Yes the blame lies on Sandusky. But Paterno, McQueary, and the rest of the staff who dismissed the actions of Sandusky should be held culpable as well.
Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk in the Oval Office.
It said simply “The buck stops here.”
by GeorgiaBoiler on Jan 23, 2012 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You think it was an intentional cover up to protect his football program.
It was. They first knew about this stuff in 1999. That’s why Sandusky abruptly “retired” and never worked in college football again.
From what I’ve heard McQueary was less than descriptive to Paterno
BS. I heard he didn’t spare any graphic details. But at the very least he conveyed to Paterno that it was a man and a boy naked in the shower doing something sexual and that was confirmed by Paterno in the grand jury report. And that is more than enough to be a criminal act and should have been reported to the police and aggressively followed up.
Ever Grateful. Ever True.
McQueary said that he met with Joe Paterno the next day, but did not explain exactly what he saw.
“The rough positioning I would have described, but not in very much detail,” McQueary testified.
Asked if he ever used the word “sodomy,” McQueary said, “No. Out of respect.”
Paterno told him, “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
The meeting with Paterno the next morning lasted a whole 10 minutes. Again he says he never used the words “anal sodomy.” Says he’s never used the words “anal” or “rape” since day one. The grand jury presentment uses the word “anal sex” though, that’s a HUGE issue.
He says he use the words “fondling” and didn’t tell Paterno the details of what he saw because, “You don’t go to Coach Paterno with great details of sexual acts.”
The fact that Sandusky was in the shower nude with a young boy...
…should be enough. Whether he saw "anal sodomy" or not doesn’t matter. Just being in the shower together, with Sandusky touching him should be enough for one to think that “this is real bad.”
Yea...
That absolutely should be enough for someone to contact the police. Not denying that, and I will never say the police shouldn’t have been called. However, to put this much blame on the guy who got the least info regarding the incident seems misguided. And people saying Paterno knew ALL about the child rape are straight up making stuff up to sensationalize it. Paterno admitted that he wished he had done more. That’s it. He is no monster.
another good article as to
why this entire situation needs to be put into context, and we need to learn from it, but also be aware we are all the same as Joe in many ways.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/blog/28046-we-are-all-joe-paterno
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