Paterno’s statement’s not enough, Penn State dropped ball
Joe Paterno is retiring, but he will be allowed to coach the rest of the season. (AP photo)
Joe Paterno will coach at least three more football games.
This is not going to be pretty.
Paterno confirmed this morning that he will retire at the end of the season. This follows ugly sexual abuse claims against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and the belief by many that school officials, including Paterno, may have been complicit in covering up the matter and/or could have done more to push for an investigation.
Paterno released a statement in which he conceded, “With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
They were the proper words. But they should have been spoken, not released via email, before anybody at Penn State even considered allowing him back on the sideline.
I can’t imagine any university, company or entity handling a situation worse than how Penn State has handled the past few days.
Paterno’s complete statement:
“I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.
“I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
“That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
“My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.”
I wrote the other day about how sickening this whole saga is, that potentially something so despicable could go on for so long. Paterno had met his legal obligations in the Sandusky matter but questions about whether he had met his moral obligations lingered.
I also wrote that before I jumped on the growing “Paterno Must Go” bandwagon, I wanted to hear what he had to say — live, in a room, behind a microphone, with people. Granted, Paterno was being crushed by public opinion and it seemed implausible that he could not have known — 0r done –more. But to me it all seemed a little too much too fast, given Paterno’s stature and reputation before this story broke.
I believed that Paterno needed to get behind a microphone, answer every question, show remorse and make us believe that there was no intent on his part to cover up such alleged heinous crimes for a long-time friend.
Because anybody who enabled Sandusky also belongs behind bars.
But Penn State already has made its decision. That’s a mistake. It’s as if the university is allowing Paterno one final power play in State College.
It’s going to be ugly in “Happy Valley” at Saturday’s final home game against Nebraska.
It’s going to be ugly and scary when Paterno and Penn State go on the road for the final two games to Ohio State and Wisconsin.
If Paterno coaches in a bowl game, the atmosphere certainly is not going to seem like a season celebration, which is what bowl games were intended to be.
Penn State dropped the ball. And when everybody looks at Paterno on the sideline Saturday, the first thought most will have won’t be, “There’s a great football coach.”
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
590 comments Add your comment
7576DAWG
November 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
McQueary’s statement was enough for me . This guy would have no motive to lie and is really digging his own hole for inactivity, and Paterno is right there with him, when Penn State decided to cover it up instead of handling the matter. Penn State handled it like the crime, even though terrible , is acceptable and if you promise not to do it again we won’t do anything about it this time.
Penn State handled it just like the Catholic church handled the same thing the priest were doing to alter boys. Most of the hundreds of priest were sent to 5 star retirement facilities. Apparently being a pedophile is okay in certain parts of the country or let’s say you will only get your hand slapped if you are one. The Catholic Church and Penn State looked the other way and swept it under the rug. What is so pathetic is I still haven’t heard near the outrage that I should be hearing from everybody involved.
UF in a mirror is FU
November 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
Note the timeline of when Sandusky left when Mcquaery was promoted and you begin to question what Paterno may have known and when he knew it and it adds up that they took lessons from the Catholic Church on how to handle child molestation. The old man may finish his life in jail enjoying Sandusky as a cell mate
CLTdawg
November 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
well if anything this whole mess sure makes me appreciate what the dogs have in CMR.
UGAnja
November 9th, 2011
2:04 pm
All of these smart people in charge cashing checks worth hundreds of thousands and in Joe Pa’s case, millions of dollars. They are either greedy and over protective of their cash cow,with no respect to the welfare of helpless children; Or they are card carrying nambla members. I believe it’s the former. How sad .
Jay Dubu
November 9th, 2011
2:05 pm
If that had happened to one of their sons, or the son of one of their friends, would they have responded the same?
If the answer is no, then they must explain why they responded this way in this situation.
jimbob
November 9th, 2011
2:05 pm
Can’t defend Paterno. This makes SMU, OSU and every other college football scandal pale in comparison.
Paterno and many others kept the issue hushed up. We *expected* better from Joe Pa. I don’t think he should go to jail, but he and many others should be gone ASAP.
7576DAWG
November 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
I sure hope that Georgia or no other SEC team ends up in a bowl game with Penn State because if Paterno or anybody on his staff that knew about this is allowed to coach that game I will not support it and will be very upset if Georgia accepts an invite. A lot has to happen for Georgia and Penn State to end up in a bowl game but it’s not going to be well received from a lot of the older Alumni.
gt4ever
November 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
Thanks Michael G….. That about sums it up….
Whats Important
November 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
Tech Man – Re: Gicar, could have something to do with the 2002 incident. Just saying, as far as DAs go, this guy either wasn’t real stable (disappearance) or was real affordable. By the way, if you are indeed a real Tech Man, as indicated on the “anonymous” blog, it has been my experience that engineers are contrarian by nature. Is that the case with you?
7576DAWG
November 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
Jeff
Why hasn’t the NCAA gotten involved or at least chimed in on this. Is it something that they would not really be involved in?
Whats Important
November 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
Baba – with pedophiles there is no “isolated incident.” Once started they never stop.
emmysmom
November 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
@Ben, amen. To me, it’s very sad that the current Penn State football players will be subjected to the ridicule and derision that will be displayed when Joe Paterno enters the field or is announced. They have done nothing to deserve this. Paterno should go now and spare everyone further embarrassment.
The truth will out
November 9th, 2011
2:15 pm
“Because anybody who enabled Sandusky also belongs behind bars.”
That’s an awfully harsh statement from Jeff, but I agree with him.
Marietta Buzz
November 9th, 2011
2:15 pm
Two Similar Stories Break at Same Time and the Lesson Should Be Learned. An innocent man steps up to the microphone at 5pm yesterday, takes questions meant to entrap from a hostile press. The guilty man hides behind an email and is allowed to continue free by adoring fans.
Isn’t it educational and kinda funny that these two stories run at the same time. Paterno should be arrested as others have been in this case. The proof is there. I’m sending Herman Cain another thousand bucks. Gloria Allred is not picking my president.
Hammertime
November 9th, 2011
2:15 pm
Read this : http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/-8216-Devastated-8217-Paterno-will-call-it-a-;?urn=ncaaf-wp9515
It says there may have been as many as 20 victims of Sandusky.
Bottomline is McQueary,Paterno,and Spanier all were obligated to report this sexual crime against a minor to police that occured on college premises. None of them did. All 3 are guilty.
Jay Dubu
November 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
As soon as a few big money contributors make some noice, which will be done quietly behind the scences, he and the rest of his staff will be out!!!!!
A person SMART enough to know......
November 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
The NCAA has no jurisdiction. This a a real crime against real laws but NCAA BS.
When REAL LAWS are broken it should be the polices job to investigate and jail those found guilty of breaking the law.
FairOne
November 9th, 2011
2:17 pm
Jeff you are right on! When Vince Lombardi said “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile”. This horrible price these CHILDREN paid is not what he was talking about. Read this and wrap it around your hearts and brains!
Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/vince_lombardi.html#ixzz1dEl0Nla9
Don't care much for college football ...
November 9th, 2011
2:18 pm
Baba – McQueary was 28 in 2002 when he witnessed the incident in the shower – not 21. He quarterbacked Penn State from 94-97 and returned to PSU in 2000 after a failed pro career.
Hammertime
November 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
Exactly. The school cannot handle its own investigation when a felony has been committed. Rape is as felony.
A new start
November 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
I’m sending Herman Cain another thousand bucks.
Bless you, and that was a good comparison between Cain and Paterno.
We can’t afford a thousand bucks, but we’ve been sending $25 a month.
FairOne
November 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
Jeff you are right on!! When Vince Lombardi said “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile”. He was not talking about the price these CHILDREN PAID. Wrap that around your hearts and brains!!
TechMan
November 9th, 2011
2:20 pm
Not a traditional tech graduate. I’m from the management program which most tech grads don’t consider a part of tech.
I don’t think I’m a contrarian. I just like to let time take it’s course and actually look at what happened rather than jumping to a quick conclusion.
Hammertime
November 9th, 2011
2:21 pm
If you drive the getaway car in an armed robbery you get charged with armed robbery too. McQueary,Paterno,and Spanier are all 3 contributors to these rapes for negligence in reporting it to the police.
jimbob
November 9th, 2011
2:24 pm
Interestingly, LSU pushed Pokey Chatman on out for a far lesser transgression (consensual relationship with a former player).
A person SMART enough to know......
November 9th, 2011
2:24 pm
hammertime……………..where are you seeing that this was not reported to police? A DA was investigating so the Police had to know something from someone
gbal
November 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
At this early point in the investigation Jo Pa and others likely can not report all the facts and what they knew or didnt know and when….
The DA and others are still investigating the incident and looking for more victims to make their case and I am sure Joe PA has been told to keep any comments generic for the sake of the investigations.
Reporters want the info now so they can report it. I really think that the concerned general public (readers) would rather all the facts be collected and get it right before reporting.
Elvis the Falcon Fan
November 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
Jeff, Joe has to go…NOW! I did not read the entire 23 page indictment because after I got thru reading the first 6 it became repetitive and nauseating. I dont care how many years he has been coaching or how many games he has won or how good a man he is. He may have not violated the laws that were on the books, in fact I dont think he did, but he certainly violated a few that should be on the books. Making a statement thru email doesnt prove that he was complicit in a cover-up but it does prove that he (or his higher ups or both ) know that under cross examination by the press Joe Pa and Penn State would look like they were both complicit.
TechMan
November 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
I am glad Hammertime is not an attorney.
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
Go read the Grand Jury report. It will make you sick. There was so much cover up it’s disgusting. Any fools out there that support Joe, McQueary any of the Penn St officials are idiots. I hope they all serve time in prison. There is NO WAY, NO WAY JoeP didn’t know something. Go read the reports. How Joe could allow that sexual diviant to walk the athletic offices at Penn State after what he had been told is beyond me. Sandusky should have moved in with Michael Jackson and then they could just abuse little boys together. I hope the moral fans of Penn State have the guts to boo Joe Saturday. I can’t in all my mind think he would show up. Then give us this pitiful excuse, “I wish I had done more.” Yeah Right!
What he was thinking: “But I had more important things to do like worrying about my football team. I mean after all he only raped some little boys, surely they’ll get over it.”
These parents that let their sons stay over at this perverts house? At least the one mom tried to do something. I would have hired a private detective and this sorry SOB would have been caught in something and locked up.
The one janitor that saw what happened became distraught. Cover up, Cover up, Cover up!!!
UF in a mirror is FU
November 9th, 2011
2:27 pm
Read the grand jury report thanks for posting link
Errrrrr
November 9th, 2011
2:29 pm
On my job as a teacher, I am required to report any suspected abuse (sexual or otherwise) and I am expected to follow the chain of command – i. e., report to my bosses. This is what Joe Pa did.
Should he have done more given the circumstances? Probably so. But he did what was required/expected. He’s not perfect like some sportswriters I know.
BTW, I’ve never been a big fan of Joe. I’ve always begrudgingly respected him.
That said, I take his statements to be sincere and true. Go after the real villains in this case.
Patrick
November 9th, 2011
2:29 pm
I agree with whomever thinks that he should be fired.
Even though these isn’t solid concrete evidence as to what joepa did or didn’t do.
This is a sickening crime that happened many times to many victims.
I question anyone who thinks that joepa should be given any leeway in asking themself this first, what would you think if it was your son that was the victim?? I’m sure your thought process and feelings would be much different!
In my opinion Paterno has lost any privlige of going out on his terms. He doesn’t deserve it. He shouldn’t be allowed to coach another game
UF in a mirror is FU
November 9th, 2011
2:29 pm
Wow I am confused, Herman Cain molested Sandusky?
TechMan
November 9th, 2011
2:31 pm
No, Sandusky molested Michael Jackson
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:31 pm
LOL UF, I need a good laugh after all this sickening news
Jay Dubu
November 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
You have a 50+ year old man that rapes a 5th / 6th grader while pinning him against a wall in a shower, and the people in charge know about it, and do nothing????
Sick!! Shameless!!!
reckingball
November 9th, 2011
2:33 pm
Comparing the Cain and Paterno cases is absurd.
There were no children raped in the Cain case, only an idiot trying to get some, and didn’t know how to go about it(I don’t condone what he is accused of). You Republicans can thank your buddy Carl Rove, for your man Cain’s troubles.
Paterno, by his own admission, suspected his employee of having sex with a ten year old child, and did the bare minimum about it.
This man should resign immediately, and if he doesn’t he should be fired.
To all of you, who defend him, what would you have done in the same situaion, if you had been in Paterno’s position? Would you have passed the buck to the AD, and hope that the story didn’t get out?
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:33 pm
I would like to see the players read the Grand Jury report, think about all their younger brothers and sisters and then take a secret vote on whether they want Joe on sidelines for Saturday. If they voted yes, then I hope they never win another game in their career.
North ave. faithful
November 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
Just read the grand jury indictment, honestly does anybody remember old yellar? Walk him out back put one in his head. I believe i could do it myself, come back in and have dinner and go to bed.Absolutly disgusting POS!!!!!
St Simons - we're on Island time
November 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
this all about saving Mike McQueary
they’re gonna serve ol Joe up – just did
on Yahoo Sports now, President Spainer just resigned
They can’t run the day-to-day program or recruit
without McQueary (he’s also Recruiting coord) and pretty
much coaching for ol Joe now.
You can’t save McQueary, he’s the 2nd most guilty.
He should never walk on state property again.
Start over. Today. Forfeit. Close. Whatever it takes.
SEC teams – take em off the schedule, don’t
let em on your campus. Parents & kids are watching.
If they don’t get rid of them ALL today, make it hurt PSU.
TechMan
November 9th, 2011
2:35 pm
I would’ve passed the buck to the proper authorities, which is what Paterno did, according to what I read.
evil empire
November 9th, 2011
2:37 pm
Richt to Penn State…you heard it here first…he’d be crazy not to…
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:37 pm
Pass the buck, that’s called ducking responsibility
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
If you knew, but didn’t do.
Then you know, it’s time to go!
Ted M.
November 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
Joe Pa needs to go now. It is only going to get uglier. I can see the OSU students in their “I took a shower with the PennState coaching staff and all I got was this lousy tee shirt” shirts. Penn State is finished for many years. Thanks Joe Pa and the rest of you jock sniffers who worship this guy.
phil
November 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
You’re dead wrong, Schultz….
You guys got what you wanted…another scalp.
Why not just shut the hell up now and let the man finish up and retire with some dignity. You nor anyone else has all the facts to be making such harsh judgments of him.
What Sandusky apparently did is beyond sickening. To translate it over to Paterno with little or no proof is also sickening in a much less profound manner.
You guys seem to love to trash people like Paterno with no thought whatsoever to actually getting a story straight first. I’m extremely disappointed in you and in Bradley and in the rest of you who have denigrated Joe Paterno well before he may end up actually deserving it.
What is the matter with you?
reckingball
November 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
In the case of child abuse, I believe that the proper authorities would be the police.
jvillebil
November 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
Ted, how much do you think the shirts will sell for?
RealTechMan
November 9th, 2011
2:41 pm
Both Paterno and McQueary should step down today! Not tomorrow, not this weekend, not next month, today!!!!!