Penn State/ Please be careful

[Terry Webster]

One of the saddest and most painful parts of my job as a minister has been sitting with families who have endured the horror of sexual abuse against their children. There have been more times that I can count that these families were not only devestated by what happened, but also by jokes and comments made about the situation. While PSU and Coach Paterno deserve all of the scorn that should come to them for their stupidity, I just ask that all of us be careful with the kind of comments that we make on this or any board. This crime involved children and families and needs to be handled very delicately. Thanks for letting me get a my soapbox a bit.

[StallionsModelT]

Well said.

[NavyCrimson]

Agree. Then hang the culprits & have a fair trial afterwards.

[Mexmustang]

I have a very sad feeling that the people in charge at Penn State, including Joe Pop, knew of this perversion back in 1998. This defensive coach was essentially the head coach in waiting. He was Joe's replacement and suddenly "something" comes to everyone's attention and he abruptly retires, yet he remains connected to the program--until last week maintained an office in the athletic department.

Joe Paterno's personality and leadership was so strong they all took his lead in this matter and covered it up then, and then again following the 2002 "shower" event that was observed. The young graduate assistant left it in his mentor's hands who did very little with the information--another coverup within the athletic department family.

In order for these families to seek any retribution it will require more than money. This is going to end very, very badly, and they all deserve it--especially for those that knew better.

[RGV Pony]

Mark Madden reported/suggested that in 1999 when Sandusky "retired" it was in exchange for a coverup

[SMU2007]

he's reporting this and people are acting like it's a huge bombshell, but why else would the guy suddenly retire immediately following these allegations? I always just assumed that was the reason why.

[goldenstang]

It seems to me that this is what happened. Once they covered it up the first time, Sandusky had free reign to do whatever he wanted because there is nothing they could do to him that wouldn't bring down Penn State. No one would stand up for what was right, they were all just looking out for themselves and their jobs.

[Dutch]

what's going to be really interesting is when he starts talking. they caught him doing something horrible, and he had enough goods on them to convince them that if they fired him it would be bad for them.

"oh, yeah, i did that, but here's the deal. you're going to give me an office, a VERY nice retirement package, and i'll keep my mouth shut on all the illegal recruiting going on here for the last 40 years, paying players, etc..."

[EastStang]

Let's see the prosecutor back in 1998 who looked into things disappeared and his body has never been found. Over/under whether Sandusky ever makes it to trial.

[Charleston Pony]

what's going to be really interesting is when he starts talking. they caught him doing something horrible, and he had enough goods on them to convince them that if they fired him it would be bad for them.

"oh, yeah, i did that, but here's the deal. you're going to give me an office, a VERY nice retirement package, and i'll keep my mouth shut on all the illegal recruiting going on here for the last 40 years, paying players, etc..."

former next door neighbor of mine was a Penn State guy who knew several players back in the early 80's (who readily shared stories of who was getting what). He just laughed at the idea that everyone talked about Paterno and Penn State as a "model (clean) program" as we watched SMU get the death penalty. I think you have a plausible theory here, even though I almost barfed hearing Matt Millen reiterate what an exemplary program Paterno ran on Mike & Mike this morning.

[Mestengo]

Pimping out kids to donors now?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/1 ... 2%7C111562

[Mestengo]

Please forgive me for what i want to do to this man lord