The death of Joe Paterno has sparked column after column of reflection. As little as two and a half months ago, all of those columns would have read the same exact way. However, when former assistant Jerry Sandusky was indicted on 40 counts of child sex abuse on November 4th of last year, things changed.
We learned that Paterno didn't exactly take swift action when he learned of an alleged incident that occurred in 2002. Mike McQueary, a grad assistant at the time, witnessed one of these acts in the locker room showers. He tells Paterno, who then told the President at the time, Graham Spanier. Spanier sat on the information and failed to tell authorities, as did Paterno.
Less than a week after this story went public and Sandusky was indicted, Joe Paterno, the winningest college football coach of all time, was fired.
I have to admit that at first, I completely agreed with the decision. This story broke on a Saturday. By Monday morning, I was convinced he should be canned.
However, as time has gone on, my opinion has changed more and more, and it has nothing to do with all of his health problems than ensued. When Penn State took the field without Paterno at home against Nebraska, it suddenly hit me that this just wasn't right.
Paterno took over as head coach for the Nittany Lions in 1966. In his 62 years, he compiled a 409-136-3 record, including 24-12-1 in bowl games. He was a National Champion in 1982 and 1986. Other honors and awards include being named Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year ('86)," AP Coach of the Year ('05), recipient of the Paul "Bear" Bryant award ('86), and elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. No coach has won more football games than Joe Pa.
As remarkable as Paterno's accomplishments on the field were, it's what he did off of it that truly shows what kind of person he was. Contrary to many others in his profession, Paterno put a huge emphasis on education. Instead of running a football factory like most other institutions of high football prestige, he combined athletics with education as soon as he took over. His "Grand Experiment" led to some of the highest graduation rates in the country during his entire tenure.
Joe and his wife Sue contributed over $4 million to the University's academics, which helped to open facilities such as the Penn State All-Sports Museum and the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. Paterno raised nearly $14 million to expand the school's library, which was named after him.
In a time when NCAA violations are as common as first down carries by a halfback in the Penn State offense, it has to be noted that Paterno went his entire career without committing one.
Possibly the most telling example that shows what kind of man he was are the things that former players say about him. It's common for football players to give their head coach credit for finding them in recruiting, offering a scholarship, and providing them with the basics for becoming an outstanding talent. However, what Joe's former players say takes that to a whole different level:
"Thank you Joe for taking a chance on me and making me into the man I am today. I will never forget the lessons I learned from you." - former linebacker Aaron Maybin
"You have been my idol. You are a one of a kind man. Words cannot express all my feelings." - former receiver Graham Zug
"We should not be discouraged by his death, but encouraged by his life. It would be a blessing to impact others the way he did." - current defensive tackle Devon Still
“Paterno always wanted his players to call him Joe, he didn’t want them to call him coach because he always wanted to create a family-type atmosphere. If you talk to a former Penn State player they will call him Joe. He never put himself above anybody and always was a friend first.” - former Purdue head coach Joe Tiller
Paterno lived out his life in the same house he bought for $8,000 when he arrived in State College 62 years ago. His home phone number was always listed in the phone book so his players could get a hold of him whenever necessary. He always thought of himself as a regular, everyday guy and never wanted to be treated any differently than anyone else.
While Paterno could have done more after learning about the shower incident, we have completely forgotten who the bad guys are in this situation. Jerry Sandusky and Graham Spanier are alleged felons. They're the ones who should be taking the heat that Paterno unfairly took. Even if Joe went to the police, what would that have changed? It wouldn't have undone any of the rapes. It wouldn't have made the lives of these men any easier than it is now. Joe went up the chain of command and told his boss what was going on. At that point, it's no longer a Joe Paterno issue. His job is to win football games. Spanier's job was to oversee all legal matters involving Penn State University.
Joe Paterno won more football games and did more for his players and university than any other coach in NCAA history. You can choose to remember him any way you wish. As for me, I'll let his players and colleagues, the people who knew him best, make that decision for me.
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