My mom’s side of the family grew up near Hershey, Pennsylvania with several of my cousins attending and graduating from Penn State University. Every Thanksgiving I was forced to listen to how great Penn State’s football was while visiting relatives during the annual family reunion a few hours from Happy Valley. Maybe this is why I applied and was accepted to the University of Miami in Florida, hoping to put to rest the frenzy of Penn State Nation. Although I decided to go to school closer to home, I adopted Miami as my team to root against Penn State each season.
In his hey day, Joe Paterno, known simply by the nickname JoePa became bigger than life itself. During his 46 year coaching career, Paterno amassed 409 wins, 5 undefeated seasons, 2 national championships, became Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1986, named Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2005 and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Penn State was the blue print for honor, integrity and success as a college football program. Joe Paterno also donated over 4 million dollars to the university during his tenure and helped fund the school’s library which bears his name for now. However, everything changed quickly at the end of 2011 due to the findings in the Jerry Sandusky Child Sex Abuse Case.
Say it ain’t so Joe, did you really look the other way when you discovered your friend was sexually abusing young boys? How could you let your near flawless reputation become tarnished and tainted? According to the Louie Free Report, Paterno did not actively notify school officials about Sandusky’s involvement or pursue outside law enforcement when nothing was done to stop Jerry Sandusky. As other investigations continue, more details will likely come forward about what Joe Paterno knew and what actions he specifically took on this matter.
With each new day, the legacy of Joe Paterno is vanishing along with his statue erected outside of Beaver Stadium, removed by school officials yesterday. Are people overreacting, is JoePa getting what he deserved or should we allow Joe to be innocent until proven guilty? Our culture is filled with double standards like we shouldn’t judge, but we do. School programs like Project 10 introduce homosexuality to pre K and first graders in the form of Heather Has Two Mommies and My Two Daddies, but when an 18 year experiments when a minor its a crime. Or how about when public education and colleges teach there are no absolutes, but the government is able to tell us what we can and can’t eat, drink, smoke and so on.
Even though I have never been a fan of Penn State, what about all the good Joe Paterno did over his 46 years of coaching and mentoring players? Why are so many people ready to crucify a man who died in January, when JoePa has helped so many graduates become successful men in our world today? Let’s listen to the voice of Jesus in John 8:7, examine our own lives first and drop the stones you have in your hand unless you are perfect. Yes, there are lessons to be learned, but don’t stone a man who is already dead. Let time takes its course, let the facts come to the surface and for now, give JoePa the benefit of doubt.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 