Thought this was an interesting read

[NitFan89]

Penn State is bringing Joe Paterno back into view and approaching the question it can't avoid

From Matt Campbell's white laces and a revived 'Success With Honor' banner to a new museum exhibit, Penn State's increasingly public embrace of Paterno raises the question of where its gradual restoration of his legacy ultimately leads

www.cbssports.com

 

[BCS PSU]

Penn State is bringing Joe Paterno back into view and approaching the question it can't avoid

From Matt Campbell's white laces and a revived 'Success With Honor' banner to a new museum exhibit, Penn State's increasingly public embrace of Paterno raises the question of where its gradual restoration of his legacy ultimately leads

www.cbssports.com

A restoration of his legacy never should have been needed.

 

[BobPSU92]

Penn State is bringing Joe Paterno back into view and approaching the question it can't avoid

From Matt Campbell's white laces and a revived 'Success With Honor' banner to a new museum exhibit, Penn State's increasingly public embrace of Paterno raises the question of where its gradual restoration of his legacy ultimately leads

www.cbssports.com

“Paterno was fired in 2011 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal after 62 total seasons coaching at Penn State. An independent investigation in 2012 overseen by a former FBI director found that Paterno knew as early as 1998 that there were concerns about Sandusky's conduct with children and that administrators, as well as Paterno, "failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."“

It’s 2026, yet the same sh|t. Holy f*cking sh|t bags.

And Sandy was a dumb sh|t for the ages for apologizing for the 409 helmet stickers.

 

[PSU Soupy 615]

The investigation did seem to focus on the football team and Athletic Department as opposed to PSU University Administration, Second Mile Charities etc...... almost as if searching for a predetermined answer. Even the quote above "......Paterno knew as early as 1998 that there were concerns about Sandusky's conduct......." Knowing about a concern even if it is an accurate statement is very vague. Someone could have concerns about anything and then if you hear the concerns what are you supposed to do about it? Joe eventually told his boss about things that he had heard and the person whom the University Police report into, yet that was supposedly not enough??

Things that most can agree on, Sandusky did not have great legal counsel, Joe did pass on his information to his boss and University Leadership, McQuery statements seemed like they changed over time. The vetting process for the payments by the University seemed rather thin and could be exploited.

Not sure what happened. Not sure if Sandusky got what he deserved....... does not seem to me with limited knowledge of all of the events that Joe was treated fairly. Perhaps I am not a good judge of this as I greatly respected Joe and what he did and what he stood for prior to these events.

 

[BCS PSU]

The investigation did seem to focus on the football team and Athletic Department as opposed to PSU University Administration, Second Mile Charities etc...... almost as if searching for a predetermined answer. Even the quote above "......Paterno knew as early as 1998 that there were concerns about Sandusky's conduct......." Knowing about a concern even if it is an accurate statement is very vague. Someone could have concerns about anything and then if you hear the concerns what are you supposed to do about it? Joe eventually told his boss about things that he had heard and the person whom the University Police report into, yet that was supposedly not enough??

Things that most can agree on, Sandusky did not have great legal counsel, Joe did pass on his information to his boss and University Leadership, McQuery statements seemed like they changed over time. The vetting process for the payments by the University seemed rather thin and could be exploited.

Not sure what happened. Not sure if Sandusky got what he deserved....... does not seem to me with limited knowledge of all of the events that Joe was treated fairly. Perhaps I am not a good judge of this as I greatly respected Joe and what he did and what he stood for prior to these events.

I believe that Sandusky's last season on the coaching staff was 1999, so maybe Joe forced him out after hearing things. Also, if Joe did report the rumors to the chain of command, then what more was he supposed to have done? Was he expected to put together a posse and make a citizen's arrest?

 

[G3624]

no. Just lynch him on the spot!

 

[Metal Mike]

One fact that I found very interesting was in the Freeh Report. Not in the Executive summary but in the main body of the report. Sandusky was investigated by the police and a representative from the state office responsible for child safety. This was back when Sandusky was employed by PSU as defensive coach. This investigation concluded that Sandusky did not demonstrated the traits of a child molester. The fact that he had been investigated by the authorities and given a clean pass is never brought up. I concluded either he was not a child molester or he was very good at hiding his behavior. Given this investigation of Sandusky sheds light on the behavior of the PSU officals.

 

[Bvillebaron]

A restoration of his legacy never should have been needed.

No truer words were ever spoken.

The investigation did seem to focus on the football team and Athletic Department as opposed to PSU University Administration, Second Mile Charities etc...... almost as if searching for a predetermined answer. Even the quote above "......Paterno knew as early as 1998 that there were concerns about Sandusky's conduct......." Knowing about a concern even if it is an accurate statement is very vague. Someone could have concerns about anything and then if you hear the concerns what are you supposed to do about it? Joe eventually told his boss about things that he had heard and the person whom the University Police report into, yet that was supposedly not enough??

Things that most can agree on, Sandusky did not have great legal counsel, Joe did pass on his information to his boss and University Leadership, McQuery statements seemed like they changed over time. The vetting process for the payments by the University seemed rather thin and could be exploited.

Not sure what happened. Not sure if Sandusky got what he deserved....... does not seem to me with limited knowledge of all of the events that Joe was treated fairly. Perhaps I am not a good judge of this as I greatly respected Joe and what he did and what he stood for prior to these events.

Sandusky was separately investigated by the police and DPW regarding the 1998 incident. The police chose not to prosecute despite an officer eavesdropping on a conversation with the alleged victim’s mother. While Sandusky did not confess to anything, he did say that he feels horrible. DPW had him undergo a psych evaluation which concluded that he fit the classic profile of a groomer. For reasons unknown (largely because no one in the AG’s office, including our current governor who claims he is the protector of children, ever investigated the DPW despite its direct oversight responsibility) had a second eval done (over the written objection of a first assistant in the Centre County DA’s office) which concluded essentially that he was “harmless”. Guess which version DPW reported to Penn State?
Paterno was not involved in the negotiation of Sandusky’s retirement package which gave him emeritus status and access to Penn State’s facilities. Paterno was asked for his comment on the package and he stated, in writing, that he was okay with giving Sandusky access to facilities but not with him bringing Second Mile kids on campus due to liability concerns (a copy of the document is included as an appendix to the Freeh report). Paterno’s comment about not letting him bring Second Mile kids on campus related to the potential for physical injury. Nevertheless, one of the grounds advanced for implicating Paterno was that he was somehow responsible (despite his recommendation that he not be permitted to bring Second Mile kids on campus and that he reported the very next day to his supervisor whatever McQuery told him and then did not participate in any investigation— the precise protocol the NCAA adopted a few months after imposing sanctions on Penn State) because he was allegedly “in charge” of everything that happened at Penn State. Too bad the administration didn’t heed the old man’s recommendation on not letting Sandusky bring Second Mile kids on campus huh?

 

[PSUForever]

I believe that Sandusky's last season on the coaching staff was 1999, so maybe Joe forced him out after hearing things. Also, if Joe did report the rumors to the chain of command, then what more was he supposed to have done? Was he expected to put together a posse and make a citizen's arrest?

The narrative that will never change is because he was Joe Paterno who was all powerful, he could have done more. He said it himself. What does that mean? People think he ran the university and bossed everyone around. Had his hand in many different university affairs and influenced major strategic decisions. He was already 72 in 1998 so an older man, reduced energy, etc. He was not some dictator ruling over everyone or some kind of informal CEO.

I don't know what more he could have done. He didn't even know what was going on. Nobody did. Sandusky didn't work for him. People wanted Joe to get Sandusky arrested. He couldn't do that. He made a bad judgment call by not banning him from the football building or being more aggressive in controlling him but he really didn't know what was happening. People think he enabled it which is a shame. Such a sad story. It is so unfortunate that his career and then life had to end in such an embarrassing way. He has to take some blame for what happened but it is a complicated story.

To me, Joe Paterno will always be the pinnacle of Penn State football. I grew up on Penn State football and Joe was a fixture who was Penn State football for decades.
The man who brought greatness and honor to the university. That huge stadium, 100,000 plus fans, all the loyal fans across the country can all be traced back to Joe. He built it all. We are a blue blood program because of Joe. We are a household name in football because of Joe.

 

[CVLion]

He made a bad judgment call by not banning him from the football building or being more aggressive in controlling him but he really didn't know what was happening.

I’m with you on most of what you said… but how was Joe supposed to have done these particular things? He was no longer Sandusky’s boss, and JS had been granted access to the facilities by the PSU administration as part of his retirement package.

 

[leinbacker]

“Paterno was fired in 2011 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal after 62 total seasons coaching at Penn State. An independent investigation in 2012 overseen by a former FBI director found that Paterno knew as early as 1998 that there were concerns about Sandusky's conduct with children and that administrators, as well as Paterno, "failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."“

It’s 2026, yet the same sh|t. Holy f*cking sh|t bags.

And Sandy was a dumb sh|t for the ages for apologizing for the 409 helmet stickers.

It can also be said that a District Attorney, State Police, State's Social Services also knew as early as 1998 knew that there were concerns. People who actually had legal power to do something about it. I guess that isn't important because we all know such matters are the jurisdiction of a football coach.

 

[PSUForever]

I’m with you on most of what you said… but how was Joe supposed to have done these particular things? He was no longer Sandusky’s boss, and JS had been granted access to the facilities by the PSU administration as part of his retirement package.

Yeah I think if Joe thought there could be a problem with Sandusky's behavior he could have told the administration to ban him. The problem is what did Joe really know back in '98? He might have been aware of some rumors and that's it but not enough to rising to banning Sandusky.

The fundamental issue here is since Joe was such an icon he gets a ton of unnecessary blame but the reality is he was old, not up to speed on what was happening and he didn't have nearly the clout and power in the university that people think he did. With all that said, I'm not sure what more he could have done. He gave Sandusky the benefit of the doubt and that was obviously the wrong call but so did the administration.

 

[ApexLion]

The media has never understood Penn State. It’s unique. The football coach isn’t treated locally like a southern plantation owner. It’s big time football but it’s not like elsewhere.

 

[Metal Mike]

A couple of posters above have stated that authorities knew or suspected about Sandusky as early as 1998. What I read in the Freeh Report is that the investigation conducted in 1998 concluded that Sandusky did not exhibit the characteristics of a child molester. This investigation gave Sandusky a clean bill. There was no doubt in the police and the folks from DPW (responsible for child welfare) who conducted this investigation. So rather than folks knew as early as 1998, they did not know or suspect. Sandusky was investigated by the proper authorities, people who were the experts in this field.

 

[TiogaLion]

 

[o_PSUALREADYKNOW]

A couple of posters above have stated that authorities knew or suspected about Sandusky as early as 1998. What I read in the Freeh Report is that the investigation conducted in 1998 concluded that Sandusky did not exhibit the characteristics of a child molester. This investigation gave Sandusky a clean bill. There was no doubt in the police and the folks from DPW (responsible for child welfare) who conducted this investigation. So rather than folks knew as early as 1998, they did not know or suspect. Sandusky was investigated by the proper authorities, people who were the experts in this field.

Even to this day ESPN has a “30 for 30” commercial they do where the voice over talks about “truth” and shows Joe.

It’s obviously insinuating Joe lied or covered something up

How disgusting and wrong is that?

If Joe was loved by the right people he would still be considered the coach of all time.

For some reason-Joe had many enemies and it seems like most of them are from the media. Ugh I hate ESPN-they could have really helped the cause, but because they hate PSU-the don’t give a ****. Biggest blame of course goes to PSU and the many anonymous cowards who chose to hide and scapegoat Joe.

I mean am I the only one who thinks it’s one the greatest tragedies and most confounding things that Joe Paterno’s name and records are never mentioned?

Like his name is literally blackballed from football conversation-I watch dozens of entire games a season as a sports better.

The media is not allowed to talk about Joe Paterno-you will not see or hear his name. Ever. Period.

They ignore his legacy and cover up his success because of one man? A man who likely didn’t do the things he was accused of.

The one man who SHOULD be most guilty and I hope rots in hell is Mike McQuery. What a piece of ****.

He is the reason this all happened.

It’s mind blowing that he lives a life unscathed…and got paid millions.

That’s ridiculous.

I’m as mad about the situation today as I was when it happened.

It ruined my whole identity. Loving PSU became a crime. I felt and to this day feel guilt when I wear PSU stuff in public.

The general public remembers and that’s what PSU will be known for to this day. Maybe not everyone but enough still think of us only in those terms. Sorry to tell you.

Imagine living the extraordinary life of Joe and doing all of that good…all of that charity and having it destroyed. It’s mind blowing. And if regular normal people really knew what giving a heroic or Herculean effort-they wouldn’t just let us slide.

I am 41 now and if anyone will point me in the right direction-I want to do more work to share Joe’s story and fight for him.

If I could do one thing in my life-I want to show the world how amazing Joe was.

When they destroyed Joe-they destroyed me.

 

[AvgUser]

It ruined my whole identity. Loving PSU became a crime. I felt and to this day feel guilt when I wear PSU stuff in public.

I’ve never felt guilty and won’t feel guilty.
I will not allow the ignorance of others define me or shape my behavior. I’m proud of Joe and proud to be a PSUer.

 

[Truthtelling]

One fact that I found very interesting was in the Freeh Report. Not in the Executive summary but in the main body of the report. Sandusky was investigated by the police and a representative from the state office responsible for child safety. This was back when Sandusky was employed by PSU as defensive coach. This investigation concluded that Sandusky did not demonstrated the traits of a child molester. The fact that he had been investigated by the authorities and given a clean pass is never brought up. I concluded either he was not a child molester or he was very good at hiding his behavior. Given this investigation of Sandusky sheds light on the behavior of the PSU officals.

A licensed PhD Psychologist named Alicia Chambers did give Penn State a report in 1998 in which she said Sandusky was a likely pedo.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

A licensed PhD Psychologist named Alicia Chambers did give Penn State a report in 1998 in which she said Sandusky was a likely pedo.

You're a moron. Joe brought you out from under your rock.

Tird.

 

[Georgia Peach]

A couple of posters above have stated that authorities knew or suspected about Sandusky as early as 1998. What I read in the Freeh Report is that the investigation conducted in 1998 concluded that Sandusky did not exhibit the characteristics of a child molester. This investigation gave Sandusky a clean bill. There was no doubt in the police and the folks from DPW (responsible for child welfare) who conducted this investigation. So rather than folks knew as early as 1998, they did not know or suspect. Sandusky was investigated by the proper authorities, people who were the experts in this field.

Back in the old Plotit.com days there were a few posts by State College insiders with hints of a Catagory 5 (my words) scandal on campus involving the football program. If memory serves, this was before 1998.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Back in the old Plotit.com days there were a few posts by State College insiders with hints of a Catagory 5 (my words) scandal on campus involving the football program. If memory serves, this was before 1998.

It was a fantasy.

 

[kgilbert78]

I believe that Sandusky's last season on the coaching staff was 1999, so maybe Joe forced him out after hearing things. Also, if Joe did report the rumors to the chain of command, then what more was he supposed to have done? Was he expected to put together a posse and make a citizen's arrest?

According to many in the media and elsewhere, yes--and they point to Joe's own words "I wish I had done more" as proof, often misquoting them as "I should have done more". They also believed that he ran the university and ran State College and had been covering up a lot of other stuff all along. So the logic is that since he ran the town, he was responsible. Not true, of course, though he did have a lot of pull and was AD as well as coach for a while. A lot of that stuff comes from a school admin he clashed with (Tripony as I recall) and people who just couldn't beleve the proogram was run cleanly. We also need to remember that Paterno, like many in his era, due to WW II, had served in the military and understood chain of command. Folks today don't get that, because military service is far more uncommon these days as a percentage of the population.

One other thing never gets mentioned. When Sandusky retired, there was a paper regarding Sandusky's retirement in which Joe explicitly said no children in athletic facilities (and it wasn't because he didn't trust Sandusky--he had that policy all along except for a few rare special events). Had that been followed, the whole incident never happens. And that paper IS in the Freeh report.

 

[kgilbert78]

no. Just lynch him on the spot!

This is the sadly normal response to things today.

 

[kgilbert78]

I’m with you on most of what you said… but how was Joe supposed to have done these particular things? He was no longer Sandusky’s boss, and JS had been granted access to the facilities by the PSU administration as part of his retirement package.

Which Joe, in writing, specifically stated "no kids in athletic facilities". He was overridden by the administration. That paper is in the Freeh report as previously stated.

 

[SkiSkiSki]

According to many in the media and elsewhere, yes--and they point to Joe's own words "I wish I had done more" as proof, often misquoting them as "I should have done more". They also believed that he ran the university and ran State College and had been covering up a lot of other stuff all along. So the logic is that since he ran the town, he was responsible. Not true, of course, though he did have a lot of pull and was AD as well as coach for a while. A lot of that stuff comes from a school admin he clashed with (Tripony as I recall) and people who just couldn't beleve the proogram was run cleanly. We also need to remember that Paterno, like many in his era, due to WW II, had served in the military and understood chain of command. Folks today don't get that, because military service is far more uncommon these days as a percentage of the population.

One other thing never gets mentioned. When Sandusky retired, there was a paper regarding Sandusky's retirement in which Joe explicitly said no children in athletic facilities (and it wasn't because he didn't trust Sandusky--he had that policy all along except for a few rare special events). Had that been followed, the whole incident never happens. And that paper IS in the Freeh report.

Even in his defense, you left off some of Joe's entire quote, "With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."