Paterno morally obliged to answer questions on Sandusky
Joe Paterno needs to say more about what he knew regarding Jerry Sandusky and when he knew it.
After reading the Pennsylvania grand jury’s presentation, the first thought is not that Jerry Sandusky needs to go to prison if the allegations are true – it’s that he should be tied to the bumper of a Chevy and pushed off a cliff. I say that not as a father of two but as any human being with a shred of decency, morality and a soul.
“Victim 2” (of eight listed in the document) was estimated to be 10 when he was seen in the locker room showers at Penn State being subjected to sexual intercourse by Sandusky, then 58, in 2002.
“Victim 4” was 12 or 13 in 1996 or 1997 when he was “repeatedly subjected to Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Indecent Assault at the hands of Sandusky.”
“Victim 5” was 8 or 10 and attended as many as 15 football games with Sandusky who said he felt uncomfortable about constantly being approached by Sandusky in the showers, and one time pushed Sandusky’s hand away after being touched inappropriately.
“Victim 6” relayed similar accusations to his mother. After hearing this, she confronted Sandusky, after which he responded, “I understand. I was wrong. I wish I could get forgiveness. I know I won’t get it from you. I wish I were dead.”
And others share that sentiment.
But the matter of debate now is culpability. That is where the inferno regarding Joe Paterno comes in, and I’m not ready to make that leap yet.
Pennsylvania attorney general Linda Kelly addresses the media Monday on the allegations of sex abuse crimes against Sandusky.
Two Penn State officials who are charged with covering up allegations against the team’s former defensive coordinator are already out. Athletic director Tim Curley asked to be placed on administrative leave and Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, is crawling back into retirement. If what has been alleged in the grand jury’s “finding of fact and recommendations” are true – that a graduate assistant made the allegations regarding “Victim 2” and Curley and Schultz didn’t even report it to university police – they should be tied to the same Chevy as Sandusky.
There is the question of what university president Graham Spanier knew. Spanier denies that the “Victim 2” incident in 2002 was reported to him as “an incident that was sexual in nature” and that Curley termed the conduct as “horsing around.” He also said he wasn’t aware of a 1998 investigation into incidents involving Sandusky and children in the football showers.
The debate on Paterno isn’t legal but moral. Charges have not been brought against him. He immediately reported allegations of the 2002 incident to Curley and Schultz after he was informed by the graduate assistant. (It’s worth noting that Sandusky had retired after the 1999 season but held “emeritus” status on campus, affording him perks that included an office in the Lasch athletics building and unlimited access to football facilities.)
Should Paterno have done more? No question. He should have followed up with school officials on the graduate assistant’s claims. He should have checked on any investigation with law enforcement. But did he fail to do so because Sandusky was a long-time friend, or did he simply mess up?
Many have already called for Paterno’s resignation. I want to hear more from the man first. Actually, I want to hear anything from him.
The statement Paterno released Sunday isn’t nearly enough, even if it touched on the correct themes. An excerpt: “ The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling.”
Paterno long has been held up in college athletics as the standard for doing things the correct way. Nobody ever has questioned his moral compass. But when the charges against Sandusky were released, many figured the compass had turned 180 degrees.
Suddenly, it’s as if he’s the personification of evil. That’s a little too much too quick.
There are questions Paterno must answer – and preferably before the Nittany Lions play on Saturday against Nebraska. He needs to stand in a room and not hide behind an emailed statement carefully crafted by an attorney. He needs to expound on what he knew and when he knew it. He needs to give details. He needs to show regret and remorse for not doing more. He needs to be convincing.
Jerry Sandusky may be a monster. But monsters have enablers.
The stated mission at Penn State is “Success With Honor.” This is a time when Paterno needs to assure everybody he met not so much his legal obligations as his moral ones.
Would he have dropped the matter so quickly if the alleged victim was somebody he knew — his child, his grandchild, the son of a close friend? Then, would he have done more?
Even if the Pennsylvania attorney general does not bring charges against Paterno, this has the potential to tarnish his legacy. It’s not about football or win totals. It’s about what’s right. He owes an explanation to the public. He certainly owes it to the victims.
By Jeff Schultz
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481 comments Add your comment
heartofdarkness
November 7th, 2011
6:34 pm
As long as Sandusky has not waived the right to trial, Paterno should keep his mouth shut in public. He has testified to the grand jury and if he has not been truthfully responsive to the prosecutor’s questions, he will face his own problems. As the facts are established and the allegations investigated, the victim’s counsel will have the opportunity to assess the competence of the prosecution of all parties involved in this affair. Rushing to judgment is a staple of the popular media, but in a situation where people’s lives will be destroyed and their liberty taken away from them, it would be best to rest those determinations of whom to punish upon solid evidence, deliberately unearthed.
balismith
November 7th, 2011
6:35 pm
question i have is how long did joe know..win baby win…. seems like he would of had to know
leelee
November 7th, 2011
6:36 pm
JoePa is a hypocrite. I have been saying it for years.
GT Alum
November 7th, 2011
6:44 pm
extremus -
The fact that you didn’t hear about these kind of things back then is part of the problem. It wasn’t that these things didn’t happen back then. The difference is they were “handled discreetly”, which often menat swept under the rug. A number of the allegations that have come out recently are of abuse decades ago.
In some ways, the current way is better. A priority back then was maintaining appearances, and even the media and local officials catered to it. Now, we see the world more like it is, warts and all. Politicians were dirty back then, but it wasn’t as publicized.
Not that the old days weren’t better in some respects, but most people who call for a return to the “good old bad old days” ignore all the dirty little secrets that were being kept back then.
bulldog steve
November 7th, 2011
6:45 pm
So let me get this straight, JoePa did not witness anything and learned everything second hand. He follows the chain of command and reports the second hand information he received. He is a football coach and not the police. From what I have seen the victims told their parents and the police have been involved in the case for years. Obviously it was not as cut and dry as everybody has made it out to be or indictments would have been handed out years ago. Nothing at this point has been proven, but everybody wants to hang Joe If it came out that he witnesses one of the events, then absolutely tar and feather him. What about the people that witnessed the events, why did they not follow up? A grad assistant is not a 12 yr old, he is a mid twenty something year old with a college education who knows right from wrong. The police who knew for years, what took them so long? The parents who the victims told, why did they not do anything. If one of my kids told me anything anywhere close to those events, I would be in jail for killing somebody myself. Everybody here who wants to hang Joe, probably wants to give a pass to Cain. Amazing.
Nick
November 7th, 2011
6:45 pm
Joe Pa and all officials involved should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY. Saying that he followed protocol is one thing, but there were moral obligations to these young potential victims. The fact that no one at Penn State ever called law enforcement or Child Welfare officials in this state is appalling. Since when do athletic associations complete child molestation investigations? There is clear evidence of a cover up in the athletic association and everyone involved should be terminated immediately. Some things are just more important than football.
Mr Charlie
November 7th, 2011
6:45 pm
Something stinks here, where are the police? Where are the parents? Where was the media?
Rich Brantley-Ga Graduate
November 7th, 2011
6:48 pm
JoPa reported this to his superiors. It is their resonsibility, not his, to deal with these reports. This is a failure of administration. JoPa is a football coach. Shame on anyone who puts any blame on JoPa. This is a blantant incompetence of Penn St. administration. Firings should happen, but not Paterno.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
6:53 pm
Sorry, I am not throwing Joe Pa under the bus just yet. maybe he has the Mike Vick excuse! You know it is a Culture thing. MV & said he grew-up around dog fighting. maybe Joe Pa being Catholic it could be called a Catholic thing.
Just posting a possible alibi.
If Richt didn’t know. If OJ was Innocent. If Micheal Jackson didn’t do IT. If Clinton can’t define IT. If Herschel was not given the Smokey & the Bandit Trans Am( and his sis a track scholarship) to come to UGA, then JOE PA is still Innocent until PROVEN GUILTY in a COURT OF LAW.
Vain Jangling
November 7th, 2011
6:54 pm
But enough about sodomy. Are those Auburn trees dead yet?
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
6:56 pm
NICK…………….did UGA call the COPS to Arrest CROWELL and his buddies for Possession of POT? You can be charged with possession just because it is in your body. How about DUI because they had been driving before they failed the urine test. You can cut the LINE that fine if you chose.
restsc
November 7th, 2011
6:57 pm
Joe Pa, is done and if not, he needs to be done in disgrace to himself and Penn.State!
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
6:58 pm
BREAKING the LAW is BREAKING the LAW. No illegal act should be overlooked anymore than another.
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 7th, 2011
7:00 pm
Paterno is a coward. Nothing he has ever said about helping players become outstanding young men means a thing when he will stand by and allow one child to be raped. Hell is waiting for you.
Dawg1
November 7th, 2011
7:02 pm
There is no way you can go 30 years in a small time like College Station, being as prominent as this guy is and for other’s not to know.
I’m sorry, but Jo Pa at a minimum, had to suspect… You are around a guy that long… Sorry, he knew folks
GT Alum
November 7th, 2011
7:03 pm
Rich – So, he passes this on, never hears any more about it and lets this guy have continue to have access to campus facilities where he can be alone with children, and he has NO responsibility? If so, you’re far more forgiving than most people. This is a situation that’s too important to just pass the buck.
Dawg1
November 7th, 2011
7:05 pm
Hmmm…
Joe Paterno releases statement
If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters. While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved I can’t help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.
Sue and I have devoted our lives to helping young people reach their potential. The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling.
If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers.
As my grand jury testimony stated, I was informed in 2002 by an assistant coach that he had witnessed an incident in the shower of our locker room facility. It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw, but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the Grand Jury report.
Regardless, it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky. As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time, I referred the matter to university administrators. I understand that people are upset and angry, but let’s be fair and let the legal process unfold.
In the meantime I would ask all Penn Staters to continue to trust in what that name represents, continue to pursue their lives every day with high ideals and not let these events shake their beliefs nor who they are.
Down in Albany
November 7th, 2011
7:05 pm
Jeff, I disagree only on one point…IF the allegations are true, tying them (yes, all 3 of therm) to the bumper of a Chevy…is WAY too good for them. But, I digress. This is my perspective…Paterno reports Sandusky to Penn State administration…Sandusky retires, is granted “emeritus” status(whatever the heck that means)…keeps an office in the PS athletic dept. At what point does Paterno, at least, ask himself, “…self, I’m not sure if they ever properly dealt with that Sandusky issue…I think I’ll ask the administration whatever happened with that…” His inaction potentially led to further abuse cases that didn’t have to happen! How many lives have been destoyed by his seeming inaction?
H
November 7th, 2011
7:08 pm
I urge you all to google the name Ray Gricar…… Centre Country DA disappeared…hard drive destroyed…wouldn’t prosecute the originial 1998 allegation against Sandusky…
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 7th, 2011
7:08 pm
I’m not ready to condemn a good man’s life achievements over “what could he have known speculation..it should come out in trial..And it was reported Joe-Pa did act as a prosecution witness at the grand jury..but I will say, this is what can happen when you have an octogenarian head coach..he coaches from the press box and does not attend most practices anymore..do you really think he is lurking around the locker rooms? When we delegate, we run the risk of delgating to the wrong people..maybe even if nothing comes of his role other than honest whistleblower when he was told, which I hope for..because We need something unstained now and again to look up to, it’s just time for him to walk away for younger more attentive blood.
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:10 pm
VinningsAJ
I must say, a sickening report. I actually am quite ready to pass on judgement – those in a leadership position, particularly the highly visible collegiate athletic programs of today – are duty-bound to ensure they and their staff conduct themselves in a highly moral and appropriate manner. That isn’t to say there is an obligation to follow staff members around and look over their shoulder. But, at the first hint of impropriety, JoePa’s responsibility charged him to question and ultimately fully understand the implications of what the graduate assistant disclosed. Next, simply reporting the events to the next in chain in command does not absolve JoePa of responsibility for ensuring the right outcome is reached.
In my opinion, JoePa either selfishly chose to only hear so much so he could assert plausible deniability in the future, or he’s lying – either are unacceptable from one of the supposed ‘good guys’ and leaders of a premier institution football program.
Not to mention, he’s a human being – and not only did he miserably fail the leadership standard – but the moral compass is down the drain as well.
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You are absolutely correct VinningsAJ. Well said.
catlady
November 7th, 2011
7:11 pm
As a teacher, if I even SUSPECT a child is being mistreated or neglected, I have a duty to report. OR I could lose my license, my job, and be sued. How much more for having specific allegations like Jo Pa did. Sorry–off viss his head! Fired immediately, along with others involved. Jailed, disgraced, and allowed to fend off the attentions of other inmates. Let them all think about that for at least 9 years!
bulldog steve
November 7th, 2011
7:16 pm
Rich Brantley is correct. Did anybody read the report? Joe did what he was supposed to do. I am sure he would follow up with his superiors if it was being handled and I am sure he was assured everything was being looked into. Again, Joe did not witness anything. The grad assistant, who was 28, called his Dad? If I “witnessed” something like that I would make damn sure it was followed up on. Where the heck where the parents? Who lets 11-12 yr old boys spend the night with adult men? What about the Mom who was concerned that he sons hair was wet and did not feel comfortable, did she follow up on anything. What about the other witnesses, did they follow up? Sandusky was removed from his coaching responsibilities. Again my question is, if the facts are so cut and dry, why did it take so long to indict? I even saw somewhere that Sandusky has known the charges have been coming for three years. Shoot the parents for putting the kids in those situations. Fire the administrators who’s job it is to follow up on these things. Question the witnesses for not following up on what they saw. Joe is a football coach and a damn good one. Does he feel terrible for what happened, I am sure he does. Does he second guess himself for not doing more, probably so. Does he share any blame for what happened, absolutely not.
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:17 pm
Old Joe is a fraud. The program was more important than children being raped. Kind of explains him hanging on 20 years past his “due by date” to get the all-time wins record. Its all about ego and “me.” Truly disgusting.
BARNNER
November 7th, 2011
7:19 pm
WHY USE CHILDREN WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY COWS??!!
Kweli
November 7th, 2011
7:20 pm
At least he didn’t fight/kill dogs.
Note: I am being sarcastic.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 7th, 2011
7:23 pm
@ Kweli
Just because pedophiles should also be castrated and executed, does not mean people who electrocute innocent dogs should not be castrated and executed also
P B Orr
November 7th, 2011
7:24 pm
One should point out, that grown dudes doing other grown dudes is pretty weird to most of us too, but that’s all cool now. So much of the blame goes to a hyper-sexualized society that endorses perversion to begin with.
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:25 pm
Kweli
November 7th, 2011
7:20 pm
At least he didn’t fight/kill dogs.
Note: I am being sarcastic.
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That’s almost as bad.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 7th, 2011
7:25 pm
off topic but I just saw this headline on AJC.com
Dentist Buys John Lennon’s Tooth For $31G
I only have two questions…
1. Where is John Lennon buried
2. Where can I buy a good shovel
Old Timer
November 7th, 2011
7:26 pm
For some time the word has been that even the PSU president is intimidated by Joe Pa. Maybe it’s time to clean house up there, starting with the president and including everybody else who thought of the university first and the kids second. There’s no excuse for this disgrace. The grand jury’s report is damning. It’s time for new leadership up there. Whenever there’s even a suspicion that somebody could be a predator on children, the kids have to come first. You’re telling me that Sandusky was around that university for decades and nobody had the faintest suspicion that he was a pederast? Get real!
Mike
November 7th, 2011
7:28 pm
Well with the Auburn game coming up, I think we can all go ahead and blame Nick Fairley for the Penn State problems.
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:29 pm
E
P B Orr
November 7th, 2011
7:24 pm
One should point out, that grown dudes doing other grown dudes is pretty weird to most of us too, but that’s all cool now. So much of the blame goes to a hyper-sexualized society that endorses perversion to begin with.
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Its not the same thing at all. Pedophiles aren’t gay. Last time I checked, pedophilia was still frowned upon in this society.
Mr Charlie
November 7th, 2011
7:30 pm
What kind of parent lets their children spend inordinate amounts of time with an adult. Shoulds like Michael Jackson
falconfan58
November 7th, 2011
7:30 pm
Sounds like some of the so called wonderful people that represented Penn State thought the were high church officials and could just turn their heads and all responsibility would be forgiven. Coaches at Penn State would highly chew out a player that failed to follow through on a block. But it is acceptable for them to fail to follow through on taking care of the lives of children. Football and their high and mighty college image is above all others. You failed to follow through on this coaching job JoePa and let evil win. You have forfitted your right to claim any victories in life. God help you and the other self-righteous individuals who failed to make sure this evil was not repeated.
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:30 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
November 7th, 2011
7:25 pm
off topic but I just saw this headline on AJC.com
Dentist Buys John Lennon’s Tooth For $31G
I only have two questions…
1. Where is John Lennon buried
2. Where can I buy a good shovel
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LOL
LakeDawg
November 7th, 2011
7:33 pm
JoePa should have dialed 911, not the AD.
Pago Pago DAWG
November 7th, 2011
7:34 pm
Gee, it sounds like some people want to throw that Grad. Assistant under the bus instead of the coach?
Bob
November 7th, 2011
7:36 pm
People in & around Penn State football, coaches, reporters, former players, have known about Sandusky for years. Sandusky’s presence at events was enough to keep some people away from them, so claimed Penn State alum Kim Jones on WFAN today. Sandusky was just one sordid part of the dry rot that has taken hold of the Nittany Lions program over the past decade due to Joe Pa’s increasing frailty.
Mr Charlie
November 7th, 2011
7:41 pm
Bob, I am afraid you are probably right.
Joe College
November 7th, 2011
7:42 pm
I may be an alumnus of a tiny Div. III school but I must say, I apparently learned more than several folks who regularly write comments. Here we go, one more time: No one is an “alumni”, it’s impossible to be two people and alumni is plural, ie., more than one person. You are an alumnus (male or neutral) or an alumna (female). Act like a college, even better, a high school graduate and astound your friends and family!
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 7th, 2011
7:43 pm
I totally agree with TrishaDishaWarEagle. There’s just too much to learn about a situation like this for me to pass judgement on anyone except the monster that molested the kids. I will be keeping up with this story ’till the whole thing unfolds before I decide if it changes the way I feel about Joe Pa or not.
Boca Baby
November 7th, 2011
7:46 pm
It is hard for me to imagine that something like this occurred at Penn State over such a long period of time and no one knew about it, or did anything about it, or covered it up. If this is all true more than one person should go to jail for a long time and Paterno should resign because he did not follow up the allegation to its complete resolution. What we are talking about here is not a report that someone is urinating against an athletic building wall. We are talking about criminal child sexual assault. Nothing less. To say that he passed on the complaint to higher ups is totally unacceptable.
GTBob
November 7th, 2011
7:47 pm
Joe College, no one here cares about your obsessive need for perfect grammar and punctuation. If you are having trouble deciphering the meaning of certain blog posts then ask nicely for a clarification. If it still bothers you that bad then start reading magazines and books because the internet isn’t for you.
dawg4u
November 7th, 2011
7:48 pm
I agree that we need to here more from Joe Pa about this case. The facts as reported indicate that Coach Pa only did what was legally required by reporting the matter to his superiors. What about human decency and the child or children that were abused and the parents being made aware that high ranking member of the PSU coaching fraternity was a child molester? The abuse and dishonor of a innocent child cries out in shame for justice. Where was the outrage and absolute disgust from not only Coach Pa but all the other officials that not only had knowledge that something sinister was going on in regards to Sandusky but that even the suggestion that something MIGHT be amiss was not met with a full scale investigation. There were heads being buried in the sand when the focus should have been on these children and bringing those responsible to justice.
BulldogGirl
November 7th, 2011
7:51 pm
Sadly I was a victim of similar child abuse starting at the age of 5. Yes – these monsters do appear to most of society as the most generous, loving and kind people. When someone becomes aware of such a horrible act happening to an innocent child they not only have a legal obligation, they have a moral obligation to make certain that the abuse stops. Joe Paterno is just as guilty as the AD if he turned a blind eye after he reported it. He KNEW what Sandusky was doing and he let it keep happening. How many boys could’ve been saved from this nightmare? How many Joe?
Boca Baby
November 7th, 2011
7:52 pm
Joe College: Who cares about your grammar tutorial? What is at issue is not the improper use of a designation but the improper acts of a sexual deviant predator.
LCDawg
November 7th, 2011
8:00 pm
My Uncle is a die hard PSU graduate and booster and he always wondered why Sandusky “retired” at 55 in his prime without any health issues. He had been named the heir apparent to take over for Paterno and 55 is still fairly young for a coach. I have a feeling that as bad as this story is it’s only going to get worse. I’m guessing Sandusky molested dozens of kids over the years and more than a few adults had suspicions.
northbeach Scott
November 7th, 2011
8:00 pm
It would seem like these scumbags, if guilty of hurting children, should be burned at the stake after being castrated with no anesthesisa. Repellent criminals of the worst sort, stealing the childhood of innocent children.
Mr Charlie
November 7th, 2011
8:08 pm
Surprised that this guy did not suck on a 38, but I guess guys like this don’t have a conscience.