OT- RIP Joe Paterno

[Kenny Cole]

Yeah, it's all JoePa's fault. Even though I suspect that neither you nor I know even half of what transpired or how, good, bad or indifferent, you are in a better position than anyone else to determine that. It must be wonderful to know so much more than the entire Pennsylvania criminal justice system combined. I wonder why none of them have asked you what they should do.

So let me ask you this: If a serial rapist saves a bunch of kids from a burning building, is he a bad guy or a hero? Rather clearly unlike you, my answer would be both. The good deed doesn't cancel out the bad, nor does the bad negate the good. That's the same way I think about JoePa and his legacy. And, as I mentioned before, I think you have absolutely no class to mention the bad without ever considering the good, particularly at a time like this. Have a good day.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Yeah, it's all JoePa's fault. Even though I suspect that neither you nor I know even half of what transpired or how, good, bad or indifferent, you are in a better position than anyone else to determine that. It must be wonderful to know so much more than the entire Pennsylvania criminal justice system combined. I wonder why none have them have asked you what they should do.

So let me ask you this: If a serial rapist saves a bunch of kids from a burning building, is he a bad guy or a hero? Rather clearly unlike you, my answer would be both. The good deed doesn't cancel out the bad, nor does the bad negate the good. That's the same way I think about JoePa and his legacy. And, as I mentioned before, I think you have absolutely no class to mention the bad without ever considering the good, particularly at a time like this. Have a good day.

Im basing my information only on facts. Joe admitted that he should have done more but he chose the football program and the university over the safety of 10 yr old boys. He was a great football coach and thats it, but I dont want to hear about any of this integrity stuff!!

[trobba]

Most people are remembered for what they did in life, a few for what they did not do...for me, I will remember the latter when I think of Joe Paterno.

[packs]

I agree with the post above. I know a lot of people think what happened to Joe the last few months is "sad" and "not fair" but what if those kids were your kids? What if these things didn't have to happen to them if only he did the right thing? He was a great sportsman but to me the scandal and tragedies that occurred under his watch outweigh anything that happened on a football field. I have no sympathy for him in terms of how he is remembered. And think this scandal should tarnish his legacy and not be forgotten or set aside in favor of inconsequential championships.

Its strange to me that people defend him. That people say it wasn't his fault, that he was just there. It is hard for me to understand that just because a man coaches a football team people will blindly defend him. The things he did not do for children, things that cannot be undone and will destroy their lives FOREVER, far outweigh anything he did do in a sports arena. We're all adults. We understand the consequences of sexual abuse. I can't imagine saying "Yeah but..."

[slidekellyslide]

Great football coach..I will remember fondly the Nebraska vs Penn State rivalry, but I will always think there was a look the other way attitude in order to shield the school and football program, and that will forever taint his legacy. It's a shame, but there really is no other way to look at it. Once he had been told, he had a moral responsibility to protect the children in Sandusky's life, but he did the very minimum.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Great football coach..I will remember fondly the Nebraska vs Penn State rivalry, but I will always think there was a look the other way attitude in order to shield the school and football program, and that will forever taint his legacy. It's a shame, but there really is no other way to look at it. Once he had been told, he had a moral responsibility to protect the children in Sandusky's life, but he did the very minimum.

Dan, here's another way to look at it, despite your proclamation: Every time a public figure dies, there will be those who use the event as an opportunity to jump on their soapboxes and speak as if virgins. Nothing new here. There are very few spotless people on this planet, and there are very few on this forum who truly know what they would have done in Paterno's situation. Despite your insinuations, I do not believe he was a bad man. That's the way I look at it.

[novakjr]

Dammit. That Sandusky pervert was the catalyst to JoePa's downfall and the the tarnishment of a once great career. And this guy can't keep his mouth shut even after the man's death. Attn: Jerry- No one gives a sh*t what you think, and I'm sure no one needs your condolences. Just shut the hell up, do the right thing and eat a round...

I'm not giving JoePa a pass on what happened. But Sandusky has to know that even commenting right now is completely tasteless.

[Runscott]

This had to happen eventually, but he will really be missed - regardless of your thoughts regarding the recent issue that got him fired, he was a college football (and sports) institution and also showed us that there's no need to roll over and die when you get old. It sucks the way he went out.

[barrysloate]

Good thing you edited Kenny. I was watching you like a hawk.

[barrysloate]

In the second half of the New England-Baltimore game, the announcers made a brief statement that Paterno died. There was very little if any praise, just a passing note about his death. But do you remember the accolades John Wooden got when he passed? Paterno was in his own right a legend the equal of Wooden, but he is not going to get the same praise. His was a moral failing; he knew that if he took this story to the right authorities, the football program might go down, which is of course the university's major cash cow. Who knows, maybe he wanted to do more and was pressured not to. A lot of new information will come to light soon.

[packs]

Football is a sport. These are the lives of human beings. One needs to come before the other. If it doesn't, then something is wrong. I understand how a lot of people WANT to find a reason to let Joe off the hook. But it's time to face facts. I don't knock anyone for having pride in their school. But I do hope people stop trying to find a reason not to call a spade a spade. I think CBS is not bringing Joe up a whole lot in respect to the victims, which I think is the right call.