Joe Paterno, former Head Coach at Penn State, passed away today. His passing away has generated some passionate and emotional responses. If you are an unabashed supporter of Mr. Paterno, be forewarned this blog may not sit well with you.
Today's topic is "moral obligation". Joe Paterno has been widely viewed not only as a great football coach, but as some sort of guru, a leader of men and as someone who regularly imparted life lessons to his players and not just football knowledge. So much so that he was quoted in textbooks in classes ranging from ethics in business, to communications and a number of other areas. There was actually a class at Penn State called "Joe Paterno: Communications and the media". He has a statue on campus and the Big Ten trophy once bore his name until recently. Penn State players, coaches and alumni today are decrying the fact that anyone dare speak a cross word about Joe Paterno given everything he has done for Penn State.
Let's just put it right out there. God will be Paterno's final judge. People are still entitled to their OPPinions however. Paterno had an OBLIGATION to do more than the bare minimum in reporting Jerry Sandusky. He told his boss. Thats it. He met the "legal obligation" and did only what the law required at the minimum and NOTHING more. Jerry Sandusky was Joe Paterno's best friend...his right hand man. It had been since 2002 that a grad student had brought to Paterno an issue so large that no normal person could ignore. Paterno's reaction? He told his boss. The next day. He didn't ask any other questions. Not one. Didn't ask McQueary anything, didn't ask Sandusky anything, didn't follow up with his boss or his bosses boss. He simply went on about his business, including working with Sandusky and McQueary as if nothing ever happened.
No one has been able to explain why Paterno failed to act at any point after. Paterno continued to meet with Sandusky on football related issues and other things. If my best friend, who just happened to work for me, who happened to travel with me, game plan with me, frequent my house and hang out with me and my family, was accused of conduct like Sandusky was, that relationship would change dramatically. To say the least. Friend or not, if I was told my best friend was seen raping a little boy, I would act. I would act out of a MORAL OBLIGATION to make sure NO ONE ELSE was hurt. Joe Paterno failed. Failed to act, failed to protect other innocent victims of Sandusky. Failed in adhering to an antiquated code. The "good ol' boys" club. Paterno's lack of caring for anyone or anything other than his friend, and his rule of the realm at Penn State, will forever tarnish, and perhaps even bury, whatever good he did for his precious Nittany Lions. He could have protected those kids. By asking a few simple questions he could have saved lives that have now been destroyed or damaged to the point of no return. Many children who are abused in this fashion go on to become abusers themselves. See the case of Bernie Fine, assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University. One of Fine's alleged victims is on trial (he has now plead guilty) for criminal sexual conduct involving minor boys.
Paterno held more power at Penn State than the University President Graham Spanier, AD Tim Curley, and Vice President Gary Schultz. No one did or said anything at Penn State without Paterno's knowledge or approval. He could have ended this horrific situation with a few well placed phone calls or questions and yet...he did nothing. He would later say "I didn't know what to do. I had never heard of rape and a man before." Paterno knew enough to know that he needed to go to Spanier so why, if he felt such a sense of urgency to go to the figurehead President, did he not feel that obligation to notify the authorities? This was his EMPLOYEE. Paterno also knew Sandusky's role with the Second Mile, which kept Sandusky involved with little boys constantly, and yet...he did nothing.
Do I feel sorry for Joe Paterno's wife and children and can I empathize with them in their grief? Certainly. That doesn't change the fact that Joe Paterno inexorably changed the lives of multiple young boys and their families. He failed to protect innocent children while protecting his friend and his power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Paterno should have faced criminal and civil charges for his actions...or lack thereof. I am not sad that Paterno is gone. Anything he did for his players will forever be tainted, perhaps outright forgotten, due to what he didn't do for those children. Unless you've been through the nightmare of having your family experience the pain and humiliation of having someone betray you in this manner, you will not be able to understand my point of view. My condolences go out to the Paterno family for the loss of their father, a husband and friend. My thoughts and prayers however will be with the children that Joe Paterno turned his back on.
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