Joe Paterno: A Photo Essay

  

       

  

  

 

You might also enjoy these posts from the Lunch Break: Game Day, Penn State Sex Scandal: Happy Valley No More, and The Lion in Winter…Redux.

Comments

[Patrick Edmonds]

I'm only accepting this because of your last piece, which at least provided some criticism of this atrocious debacle.

I struggle to accept any praising of Joe Paterno right now. Essentially, by deciding to retire at the end of the year, Paterno is admitting some culpability. We all know he wasn't going to retire at the end of this year, and if he was, he certainly wasn't going to announce it in the middle of the season. Therefore we have to accept this decision, which he's portraying as entirely his own, as an act of contrition. So, if Paterno feels a sense of guilt with his role, or lack thereof, in everything, then doesn't he have to resign now and not on his terms?

The court of public opinion matters in this case, and aside from the bubble of brainwashed patrons up in Penn State, the rest of the rational, removed public has spoken, Joe Must Go!

[James Dugan]

He is as culpable as anyone else in this sordid case, but public opinion really never like Joe Pa or Penn State. This is a case that started over ten years ago and I think the recent events have been enflamed to the point of absurdity in blaming everyone other than the man who reputedly did it and the one who saw it happen.

If anyone can make this go away, Joe Paterno wants to. He has spent his life building a world class college from a football team. The public is undermining everything he did and is to the institution for a supposingly lapse in morality. I understand the anger but for heads to roll before a court case is ridiculous and is about alumni money and shock. Penn State is pressing the panic button in a community that doesn't have one. What I mean is that they do not know how to go forward without Joe Paterno, football, fundraising or promotion.

These are the reasons Joe has stayed so long. He is a pillar of the community and deserves respect for the culminative of his work.

As for if he would retire. Yes, I think he was done. He has not been on the field and his team has been strong. The reins would have passed this year. Joe exactly would have retired at the end of the season to avoid a farewell tour and take away the credit of his players.

He is retiring because he thinks it is best for his players and the program. It is not best for the university. I will be the one to say it. There is no Penn State without Joe Paterno. There is no center county without Penn State. And there will be fewer students, mostly legacies who attend State College, because of the football.

Joe would have been the first to say no one is perfect. He would have said it about himself. But State College is unravaling with a question of whom's to blame. His retiring will allow for a space and moment of reflection and perhaps some understanding that media thrives on chaos and self-doubt. The very picture Penn State is creating.

Thanks for the comment.

[James Dugan]

See you in the end zone, Joepa!