Joe Paterno has been fired for obvious reasons, mere hours after saying he would finish out this season. It will not be spared much, but the full extent of the damage done to his reputation still remains undetermined.
Would you have been one the people gathered on Joe Paterno’s front lawn in a show of support, or would you be one of the people calling for Paterno’s permanent exile from Happy Valley?
In many aspects, it seems an easy decision that JoePa had to go, along with everyone else that had any knowledge regarding the sexual abuse of children by former Penn State former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. But for a moment, take heed of the emotions elicited by the sight of Paterno, the most renowned figure in Penn State history. If you can recall what life was like before the storm, the departure of JoePa might not be so comprehensible.
Prior to the announcement of his retirement, SportsIllustrated.com’s lead headline read, “Joe Paterno Must Go Now,” while ESPN.com’s said, “Turning Their Backs: There is no defense for the people in power who had a chance to act and did not. The University and Joe Paterno failed.”
Yahoo’s? “Time for Joe to Go.”
What each outlet should have realized is that Paterno would not ignore the situation a second time. All anybody needed to do was listen to some of the words Joe has said through the years, beginning with what he said to a supportive crowd of students gathered in his yard.
“I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” Paterno said to the kids surrounding his home. “I’ve lived for this place. I’ve lived for people like you guys and girls.”
And so he lived to give those guys and girls a university that will attempt to move forward from beneath a horrific shadow in the months and years to come. What Paterno did not know is the PSU board of trustees did not care.
The credibility Paterno has carried up and down the sidelines of Beaver Stadium for 46 years begs you, implores you to believe that he is sorry, and perhaps if he had listened to the words of advice he gave to generations of young men, he would not have to.
“Do the little things right and the big things will take care of themselves.”
In hindsight, it is perhaps some of the most misguided advice Paterno ever gave and the reason why Happy Valley has become a circus. Paterno did the little thing; he reported one of Sandusky’s transgressions, the first step of the legal process, and never followed up. The big thing did not take care of itself; it took care of Paterno and several high-ranking Penn State officials instead.
Paterno went back to the drawing board and committed himself to something very small in comparison to the immense gravity of sexual abuse of a child – he resigned. It was the right thing to do.
“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.”
It is unfortunate that to this point Paterno has stomached so many years of a tasteless buffet, but by stepping aside he admitted his mistake and honorably accepted the consequences. Too late for the liking of many, but certainly better than never.
“Publicity is like poison; it doesn’t hurt unless you swallow it.”
If Paterno remembers this quote at all, has he considered its significance? Is it the reason why until now he has not addressed the media, besides through a written statement?
“I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case,” Paterno said in a statement he released Wednesday morning.”I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.”
Though everyone’s perception of Paterno has been greatly skewed, anybody who expected Paterno not to accept responsibility, a virtue he has been teaching for more than a half-century, likely underestimated the character he has shown in every instance but one. All Paterno can do now is hope the victims and the public accept his amends and find it in their hearts to forgive him.
“Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence or worth is a tragedy.”
Paterno used that word Wednesday in his statement, tragedy. Perhaps he recognized the victims’ loss of self-worth, or maybe he was ashamed of himself. Probably both.
While it would pale in comparison to the life-damaging effects the victims will deal with the rest of their lives, it too would be a sad story to forget the immeasurable amount of good Paterno imparted on the lives of thousands of young men that passed through Penn State.
The toxicity infusing State College is sadly distorting some of these great words of wisdom into ironic self-fulfilling prophecies for Paterno, but maybe someday they will once again portray the great man he unquestionably used to be.
No one doubts Paterno slipped up, but without a Division I football program to run after this season, let us hope that the ugly scar caused by this scandal will not keep Paterno behind closed doors for the rest of his life. He still has the ability to empower young men, and there is a growing number coming forward in the aftermath of this case that will need empowering. If even one victim is willing to accept help from Paterno should he offer it, there is still a lot of good that JoePa can do.
So where will you stand? Will you be supporting Paterno at his front door, or holding a sign like one individual at State College that says, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”?
All good men make mistakes. Hopefully, more good men will not try to take away all the good Paterno had done before now and focus on helping the victims and their families, as well as a once-happy, now-grieving valley, to recover before they fall into darkness.
Brett is a senior majoring in journalism. Never want to hear from Joe Paterno again? Or do you think he can still help the situation? Let Brett know at [email protected] or send him a tweet @BAsportswriter.
