Joe Paterno and this years team

Like most people I want former Penn State Penn State Jerry Sandusky to receive the harshest sentence possible if he is found guilty of child molestation. In fact, short of castration I doubt there is a harsh enough punishment for sexually abusing a child.

But I also believe that firing Coach Paterno in the middle of this season was way too harsh of a punishment. I fully understand people who believe that he should have done more to make law enforcement aware of what was going on. But I have a different point of view about the situation.

I was scared to tell my parents about being sexually molested partially because it involved my Grandfather and I wasn't sure they would believe that he would do something like that. Fortunately, do to other incidents that I was not aware of at the time they fully believed me.

But it could have been different.

I think I can see the situation from Joe Paterno's perspective. From what I have heard Mr Paterno and Sansudusky knew each other, and presumably were friends, for over thirty years.  Think of any longtime friendships you have had; can you see this person as doing something illegal or perverted? I bet most people can't and I bet Mr Paterno couldn't really believe it about Sandusky but did the responsible thing and to the school's President and Athletic Director what he had been told. He then probably thought they would properly deal with the situation. Morally he probably should have done more but I don't blame him I blame the AD and the President.

I do believe it would have been best for everybody to let Mr Paterno to finish the season and then retire. Why?  Because most, if not all, of the kids on the team came to that football program to play for Coach Paterno.  Those kids were nowhere near Penn State when those incidents took place and had done nothing wrong. So why punish them for the University's fault.

A few weeks ago I heard Bill Plaske, on ESPN's  Around the Horn, vehemently proclaim that Penn State should not be allowed to go to a bowl game this year, "even if they win the Big Ten". I believe that all the other panelist disagreed. In fact, Woody Page even suggested that they should be allowed to go to a bowl game but Penn State should give the money they receive for going to a bowl game to a charity that deals with child abuse. Which I think is a perfect solution.


After doing a little research I have found out that Penn State is going  to play in the Ticket City Bowl on January 2 against the Houston Cougars. (Lions vs Cougars, oh my) That should be a good game and I am happy for the kids on that team.

But it's a shame that Joe Paterno's great career ended this way.