Say It Ain't So, Joe

I know how I'm supposed to feel.

You tell me that there was a child molestation sex scandal involving a college football program and I immediately want everyone who in any way had any involvement or information about it to be gone.

Black and white.  Plain and simple.

But what if one of those people is Joe Paterno?  What if one of those people is that lovable grandpa of college football - a guy who for over 60 years embodied all that was right about a game that occasionally went so wrong?

Penn State University is one of only four schools in the major conferences that has never had a major NCAA violation.  Never.  In a world where linebackers drive Escalades, safeties are dealing drugs and quarterbacks are "making it rain," Joe Paterno's program shined as an exception to the rule.  When they are finished playing football, Penn State kids are ready for the world, posting graduation rates around 90% when some programs hover in the 20's - and they didn't sacrifice relevance to do so.  Penn State is one of the elite programs in the sport.  800 wins, two national championships (both under Paterno) proving that "win" and "clean" are two words that actually CAN go together. 

But now, all that has changed.  If it's true that one bad apple can spoil the bunch, then Jerry Sandusky just took down the entire North American crop.

I have no confusion about what should happen to Sandusky if these allegations prove to be true.  The man is a monster.  The rest of his life should be spent in a cell.

But what about Paterno?  At best, Joe Paterno is guilty of not doing enough to put an end to Sandusky's behavior.  At worst he is complicit in a coverup that directly led to the rape of dozens of children.  We don't know what he knew and when he knew it.  We DO know that he knew enough to have done more.

One mistake doesn't erase 60 years of good works... but 60 years of good works don't allow you to look past a mistake like this.  Joe Paterno dedicated his life to doing things the right way - a longtime motto of his teams is "success with honor."  He helped mold thousands of young men, teaching them to win with integrity... but when that moment came for Joe - that "practice what you preach" decision that would mean so much to so many - Joe did the minimum.  Joe dropped the ball.  Maybe it was to help a friend who he thought would change his ways - maybe it was to protect a program and a legacy that suddenly seemed so fragile.  It doesn't matter.  It was just plain wrong.

So this is how Joe Paterno goes out?  Fired in an horrific scandal - one small piece of controllable justice while we wait for the real hammer to fall.  So why does my heart break a little to see him go?

I know how I'm supposed to feel.  I'm supposed to be glad he's gone.  But I've spent my entire life being SO glad that he was there.