The real legacy of JoePa
Louis Freeh’s 267-page report is out on his investigation involving Penn State University and the internal happenings involving the handling of Jerry Sandusky. In this report he detailed how Tim Curley (Athletic Director), Graham Spanier (President), Gary Schultz (Vice President) and the legendary icon head coach Joe Paterno worked together to “conceal” critical facts, didn’t want “Bad Publicity,” and at the day’s end failed to do what was necessary to protect young children.
Prior I had written a blog about the “Legacy of JoePa,” and it was sad how this recent rash of events would be what people would remember of the legend.
Now months later, I feel like those words have proven to be only the head of the nail and I don’t want to hammer it in. Still I am left appalled about the situation and am no means blaming it all on JoePa, but even in death, he shoulders his share of the blame.
His knowledge of Sandusky’s doings in 1998 (concealed), 2001 (again concealed) and more importantly his failure to protect the young boys that came to the Second Mile, are mind boggling. He failed to act and on numerous occasions pushed for PSU authorities to not involve law enforcement just to protect his football program. In essence he didn’t want any “bad publicity,” and was willing to do whatever it took to keep his program out of the limelight and build it on the principals of instilling character, building young men and not just football players and above all accountability. All principles that at 9:00 am this morning were proven, that not even the man saying them, lived up to his own teachings.
There is very little doubt that Curley, Schultz and Spanier played puppet rolls in the PSU system as the Freeh Report is very clear, who had the final say. The Board of PSU, I believe also should shoulder just as much blame for its failure to hold Spanier accountable for his actions.
Still this leaves us with yet the biggest question, just how much power should a program have? And how much power should one man have?
As we ponder these questions, let’s never forget these young victims and the lives they live in the real aftermath.
Category: Ohio St. Football, Ohio State Buckeyes, Uncategorized
