Should Penn State Have Removed the Bronze Statue of Joe Paterno?
Take our poll and let us know whether you agree with the decision to remove the statue honoring the legendary late coach—in the wake of the Sandusky scandal and Freeh report.
Once one of the most revered coaches in the NCAA, the legendary Joe Paterno was honored on Penn State's campus about a decade ago with a bronze statue that's become a landmark.
But in the wake of the Sandusky scandal and the subsequent Freeh report, Penn State removed the statue at dawn on Sunday.
Fox News reported earlier this week that some Penn State students had begun a vigil to protect the statue from vandalism. CNN reported that a small plane flew around the Penn State campus on Tuesday carrying a banner that read, "Take the Statue Down or We Will."
Other tributes to the much-honored former coach have begun to fall.
This week, Paterno's alma mater, Brown University, removed his name from its annual award to the outstanding male freshman athlete. The Brown Athletic Hall of Fame is reviewing whether Paterno still deserves a place among its elite athletes.
Nike, which outfits Penn State athletic teams, removed the coach's name from the Joe Paterno Child Development Center at its Oregon headquarters. The Penn State student group has changed the name of the football weekend tent city known as "Paternoville" to "Nittanyville."
In Grambling, LA, city officials have asked the NCAA to restore longtime-Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson to the honor of being the Division I coach with the most number of wins. Paterno only surpassed Robinson's 408 wins last Oct. 29 when he won his 409th game—and he was fired by Penn State because of the Sandusky scandal less than two weeks after breaking Robinson’s record.
And there's even a question of whether Penn State's famous Creamery will continue to offer Peachy Paterno as a flavor.
Editor's note: This story was updated about 9 a.m. Sunday.
So where do you stand? Take our poll and let us know if you think the statue should have remained or if you agree with the decision to remove it—and tell us why in the comments box below the story.
Sue Bradley
6:39 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Brown can't change history. He broke a record or was named outstanding male freshman athlete then that should still stand. Just like you can't change that OJ won the Heisman Trophy. Now had Paterno done something where they found he cheated to get that title - yes remove it then. I wouldn't be giving either of them any "citizen of the year" awards for their later behavior but you can't change history just because you don't like it or something they did.
A
11:50 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
The NCAA proved how worthless that organization has become in their attempt to exert power, all they succeeded in doing was exacting vengeance on a deadman that can not defend himself. Many in the sports world had been wanting a reason to "hate" JoPa for decades. So now that an event happened at Penn State and it involved someone that used to coach on the Penn State Football team...it's all Joe's fault. The NCAA's power trip and fake attempt to "help the children" did exactly the opposite. Once again, the NCAA has kept all of the focus on sports instead of the "true, devastating, heinous crime" of a child predator. Outside of Pennsylvania, no one even knows Sandusky's name, because the media has jumped on "let's avoid the real criminal" and let's bad mouth the dead man. Three quarters of Americans that would watch the news probably identify JoPa as the criminal instead of Sandusky.
To further the ncaa's God complex, this group of people so powerful have decided to change history and remove not only JoPa's wins... but all the college kids that played, cheered and attended football at Happy Valley from 1998 through 2011. So who does that help? No one! But it sure as heck hurts many. And once again, helps the victims and protects future children absolutely nil ! The ncaa should be forced to have a lot of explaining for a decision that succeeds in nothing other than proving they can do it.
JustMe
4:36 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Molesting children is an event????? It is Joe's fault for not reporting Sandusky to the Police or CYS. Not one person on here said that they hate Joe either. NCAA did right when they handed down the punishment to PSU. It was PSU that said they would agree to what the FBI report said and the NCAA had every right to punish them as they seen fit. Their punishment could of been harsher as in not playing football for the next 4 years.
M L spazok
7:10 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sue made a great point about OJ and the Heisman.
simple solution - move the statue to just outside one of the bldgs the Paterno Family donated to or built with personals funds. Further, he was just 1 person in the scheme of things but seems to always be "the target". Sexual misconduct has gone on since the dawn of time. with todays internet exposure, porno, violent TV, music and movies, nothing is going to change until society upgrades it morals. this isnt about Joe, its about the haters of PSU. Yet, both local & out of state students flock to PSU because of the superior academic standards. One in every 10 employees in the USA is a PSU grad. Going forward, concentrate on the positive.
Learn from historys past grievances
Tom McCool
7:56 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
oh, no, M L, this very much about Paterno and what he did to PSU. Joe corrupted a bureaucracy and wielded great power which he displayed to the world as the face of good and moral probity. Ask Barry Switzer and Oklahoma. Behind the facade was a self-serving moral coward who allowed a sexual predator to remain free rather than suffer the bad PR from revelation of Sandusky's crimes.
Paterno shamed PSU as a powerful leader gone wrong.
LC
9:28 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I agree that this situation is very much about Joe Paterno, the PSU Football Program and other officials at PSU. The amount of influence and power held by football program and specifically Joe Paterno at PSU is scary and corrupt. Joe Paterno's role in this situation is inexcusable. That is an interesting statistic about how many PSU grads are employees in the USA. How many people are victims of child sex abuse every year in the USA? Well, we will never know. Especially when we have powerful people out there determined to cover it up for their own gains. I am amazed at the lack of support for the victims of the crimes commited by both Sandusky and key PSU officials. I am not ready to forget and move forward. It is not over yet. Not until I see some more justice served up.
cc
9:37 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tom McCool, agree with you. Paterno is an embarrassment that did not do his job in protecting young boys. I think each one of those who covered it up should go and spend time in jail.
ML Spazok, where did you get information that one in every ten employees in the USA is a PSU grad? Never heard that before.
The 10 Largest Universities In The United States
Arizona State University (55,552 students)
Ohio State University (55,014 students)
University of Central Florida (53,537 students)
University of Minnesota (51,659 students)
University of Texas at Austin (51,032 students)
University of Florida (50,691 students)
Texas A&M University (48,885 students)
Michigan State University (47,100 students)
University of South Florida (46,612 students)
Pennsylvania State University (43,998 students)
Penn State is the 10th biggest University in the United States but can't find anywhere where it says One in every 10 employees in the USA is a PSU grad. Out of the 58 employees that I employee, only one of them went to PSU and has a degree in Microbiology.
Isabella Valentine
9:48 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
ML spazok, don't try and make this out to be about the 'haters of PSU", this is about JoPa turning his back on the childern he allowed Sandusky to molest. Everyone knows he had enormous power at PSU, and some would argue he was most powerful. I agree that the statue should stay, but it should be moved outside the shower stall with a sign that reads "enter at your own risk".
cc
10:42 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Isabella, I love the idea of putting his statue outside the shower. NO ONE mentioned that they were haters of Penn State. I would put any money on her being a supporter of obamacare though.
Maureen May
11:16 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
It's a bit of a stretch to refer to the rape of children as "sexual misconduct," no?
cc
12:30 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
ML spazok, here is a good article for you to read since you think that " Rape of a child is just sexual misconduct" http://www.childmolestationprevention.org/pages/tell_others_the_facts.html.
A
12:07 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
The saddest part, is that everyone is still talking about JoPa. The criminal is Sandusky. An accused child molester sits on the Syracuse Basketball Teams bench coaching all this past season with a well known head coach standing up for him and defending him all along the way. The man may be innocent, but it doesn't even get coverage. Sandusky didn't even work for Penn State since 1998... and what was known in1998 was that some accusations were made. Sandusky fooled everyone! As child predators most often do. Sandusky's second mile organization had big sports figures, millionaires, politicians...etc. that he himself pailed around with and, obviously, none either suspected problems or felt there was anything to come forward with. His family still doesn't fully believe it. So the crime is not one of being fooled by the criminal... the crime is child molestation and the acts of a child predator. Colleges run rampant with these types of individuals whether professors, coaches, grounds keepers, administrators, guidance counselors...etc. If anyone really cared about the "kids" a group like the ncaa would not flex muscle for show and end up making matters worse, instead they would force their D1 sports programs to use this as a "call to arms"/ a "wake up" to review their programs to ferret out those predators hiding among them.
Neva
7:49 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Amen to Sue,s statement! If we changed history every time someone later made a bad decision, alot of things would be different. M L I don't see a solution of moving the statue outside buildings he donated to build as his achievements on the field earned him the money to donate and the consideration for the statue! Remember NO ONE is perfect and it is easier to make a mistake than to achieve goals worth rewarding!
Let the statue stand and let history speak for itself....let's move on with our lives and put the past to rest!!!
LC
9:38 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
This was not just a mistake. Joe Paterno and the other PSU officials committed a crime. Unfortunately Paterno did not live long enough to face the music. We will see what happens to the other PSU officials involved. I can only hope that money and influence won't help them avoid what they deserve.
Isabella Valentine
9:55 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Bad decision, a mistake, no one is perfect, really? I suspect you would be singing a different tune if you or one of your children had been molested in this manner and JoPa did nothing about it. Oh yeah, I forgot, he did tell his superiors. Then, he did nothing.
I certainly hope you are able to 'move on with your life'. I mean this must be such a difficult time for you. The trauma you must be going through.
cc
11:04 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Neva, go tell a child that was molested to move on with their life. Not going to happen as most of them suffer from PTSD. If it was my child that was molested by Sandusky, I would certainly be fighting to have the statue of Joe removed from campus, as he didn't do his job to make sure that this didn't happen to any other child. This statue is a slap in the face to these children and their parents and I hope that when they do file a law suit against Penn State that this is something that they demand in the settlement.
A
12:19 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Don't look now, but politicians are attempting to both erase history and create a false history. You have a good wake-up reminder that parents should all keep their eyes on their child's history books and teachers lessons... and be willing to intervene when necessary.
I agree, history should not be attempted to altered including this situation where the ncaa wants to play all powerful and mighty. If history books want to show the Penn State's Football seasons 1998-2011 tainted... then put an asterisk by the seasons and add a football note of the heinous crime that was committed on Penn State's campus by a former Penn State Football coach. But to make a promulgation that the wins didn't occur, which hurts former players, students, coaches, cheerleaders, and fans helps no one (the so called ncaa ruling is clearly NOT about the victims, NOT about the heinous crime, and NOT about preventing such problems at other universities)and creates a great inaccuracy within the history books.
cc
8:34 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I am for removing the statue and selling it to pay off victims of Sandusky's crimes. But this is only my opinion.
Alex Vallas
8:49 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The statue should go. It is a shame that so many knew that young boys were being raped by Sandusky while he was an employee of Penn State and did nothing about it. Joe Paterno considered football more important than the lives of little boys who have no voice. That was wrong.
cc
9:04 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Alex agree. If Paterno would of went to the police instead of keeping his mouth shut, most of the boys could of been saved from Sandusky. I hope when Sandusky is in general population they give him a taste of his own medicine and see's how he likes being someone toy. My heart goes out to each and every one of his victims.
JoAnn
3:59 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Paterno did nothing to stop it! According to the Freeh report Paterno knew since 1998. Imagine the number of children that could have been saved from that monster Sandusky. Paterno's family and close friend Franco Harris say they knew Joe ... well family and friends do not know what goes on in a person's mind. Sad that children suffered because of football. I think the quote below is appropriate.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
A
12:34 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
JoPa like many others heard accusations in 1998. There are accusations involving a Syracuse Basketball assistant coach for the last couple of seasons and he continues to actively coach. At what point do accusations turn to convictions? Obviously, Sandusky is a heinous criminal... that was not known in 1998, although accusations existed. But the man quit working for Penn State in 1998. The criminal was not involved with Penn State Football since 1998. He moved into full time with full attention in "Second Mile". What really needs looked into is why doesn't the media expose the administration, higher-ups and those associated with "Second Mile"? Perhaps those individuals are too powerful, have too much money and possibly there are more child predators that are glad that the attention is again on "sports" (i.e.- the focus on Penn State Football Team and a dead legend, because both play the perfect scape goats for something that might go much deeper). So don't fall for the distraction, know the real criminal. Don't be fooled by the magician's (i.e.- media and those manipulating the media) hand, because while everyone is paying attention to "sports" and JoPa... possibly more criminals escape attention and slink back into the dark to hurt children in the future. (think NAMBLA)
DW
8:51 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
PSU has to remove the statue. A statue represents (or should) someone who led an exemplary life. It is not appropriate to have his statue greet millions of fans as they enter a stadium. At best Joe Pa didn't grasp or couldn't believe what his friend Sandusky was doing. At worst he simply looked the other way, we'll never know what he or the others were thinking. What we do know is from their emails they never reached out to the children. They concerned themselves with protecting their reputation. You can't help but look up at that statue as you enter the stadium and be ashamed of a man who had the power to lead and used it to lead in the wrong direction. The statue must come down.
cc
9:07 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
DW, Penn State doesn't have to remove the statue but it does need to be removed. Paterno isn't a role model, he is just as bad as Sandusky and if he was living he should be sitting in the jail cell next to Sandusky, as with the rest of them that covered this up.
American Commissars
9:21 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
PSU also needs to shut down the football program for 1 year, and return with new colors. No more blue and white. http://am-com.blogspot.com/
JoAnn
4:03 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
It was Paterno's idea to remove the players name from the uniforms ... I say put them back on. These players need to be recognozed by their name not a number.
Charles Addleman
9:30 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The statue should be moved to the foyer of the Joe Paterno Library.
Isabella Valentine
9:58 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I think moving it to the shower stall would be more appropriate. They can cover the eyes, ears, and mouth on the statue.
cc
11:33 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thank goodness it is gone and I don't agree that it should be put in the Library Foyer. I also think the name of the Library needs changed as he isn't the only one that ever gave money to Penn State. Many alumi give millions to the college and don't have buildings named after them. Terry Pegula, gave 88 million to the college in 2010 and has upped that amount now to 102 million in 2012, which is the largest private donation in Penn States History.
Dennis T Laughlin
9:37 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe Paterno and the others who knew did not commit the crimes, but they turned their backs on those kids when they knew the rapes were being committed this makes them just as guilty as Sandusky, for this reason the statue should be melted down and the football program should be shut down for a minimum of 5 years
LC
1:42 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe Paterno and the others are under investigation for crimes. The Attorney General said back in November that she would not file against Joe Paterno for not reporting the child abuse, but Joe was facing possible criminal charges for perjury, obstruction of justice and violating the state's Child Protective Services Law. That goes for the other PSU Administrators too. Just because Paterno died before he had to face his accusers doesn't make him innocent. I hope the victims still go after Joe Paterno and Estate in a Civil Trial. Maybe they will donate a building to PSU and have their name on it.
cc
10:04 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, "Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened, and the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult." http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/child_sexual_abuse
These numbers are shocking to read as no one should every touch a child in this way. Anyone that covers up for pedophiles is as guilty as the person that committed the crime. Joe Paterno statue needs to go, just as Nike removed his name from the Joe Paterno Child Development Center. I wish he was still living to see what he did to Sandusky's and his victims and he was here to face the law suits that will be brought against his family now that he is gone.
How many of us really know who your neighbors are, have you ever checked out the National Alert Registry http://www.registeredoffenderslist.org/ , United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website http://www.nsopw.gov/(X(1)S(zyrudq45410c5y45maqdq455))/Core/Portal.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 , Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Website http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/ , Family Watchdog http://www.familywatchdog.us/ ,
Tony Biondi
10:20 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Don't condemn the current football players and the current students. They did nothing wrong. The NCAA should not give the death penalty to the football program which helps support all the other athletic programs at Penn State. They should have waited until all the facts came out and then if everyone agreed that Joe Pa was responsible, then move the statue to the Library for which he paid some $4 million dollars.
cc
12:01 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tony Biondi- The facts are already out there from the FBI on the cover up of Sandusky from Paterno and the head honcho's at Penn State, what more does the NCAA need? Just because Paterno's family want to do their own investigation, they should put this decision on hold? Monday the NCAA will be making a decision on Penn State Football team and they should be making a decision on them playing or not. According to what ESPN says, "Penn State will receive severe penalties likely to include a significant loss of scholarships and loss of multiple bowls." It also goes on to say that Penn State will not receive the so-called "death penalty", that would have suspended the program for at least one year. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8188629/penn-state-nittany-lions-not-facing-death-penalty-monday-ncaa-source-says
Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games for his conduct from the NFL for his behavior against women and many didn't agree with the decision, as people said it would hurt the Steeler, but they made the right decision there. Why should Penn State be any different, they got the facts already and they deserve what the NCAA decides, even if it is suspending football for the team for a year or two.
LC
2:30 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Why the distinction between football players and current students? That is the crux of the problem. PSU is a state school with the objective to educate students. The sports programs at Universities are not supposed to govern the school. It is supposed to be the other way around. I agree that the current students will be punished by this decision. Tough. Life is not fair. Ask the victims of the crimes in this case. Unlike the victims, PSU students have options such as going to a different school or sticking around. PSU has options too. They can offer students, who happen to play sports, scholarships for an extra year if they want. I think PSU deserves the so-called "death penalty" to send a message: the current balance of power is so out of control it is unacceptable and will never be tolerated again. The fact that eliminating football for a lousy year is called the "death penaltly" is so exagerrated in itself. It exemplifies the very problem. The power that sports programs have is so far out of balance, it facilitated some of the most horrific crimes imaginable at PSU. The reality is that the situation at PSU was so tragic, corrupt and disgusting, it is the right school to make an example of.
Margaret French
11:05 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Either melt it down and donate to Aurora CO for a plaque for the victims of the shooting or else throw it in a river. It needs to go.
rose altvater
11:06 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I believe the statue should have been removed. I think it would get it's due honor at the place where he did the most good and left his footprint, which would be in the stadium area...Perhaps it can now be replaced by a stature that symbolizes strength and unity...
cc
12:02 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
In front of the shower.
cc
11:14 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
This was from ESPN this morning
Joe Paterno statue taken down
"The Joe Paterno statue was removed Sunday morning from its pedestal outside Beaver Stadium, and it will be stored in an unnamed "secure location," Penn State president Rodney Erickson announced. Erickson also said the Paterno name will remain on the university's library.
Shortly before dawn in State College, Pa., a work crew installed chain-link fences to barricade access to Porter Road outside Beaver Stadium and covered the fence with a blue tarp.
The work crew then removed the 7-foot, 900-pound bronze statue by forklift and placed it into the lower level of the stadium. Erickson released his highly sensitive decision to the public at 7 a.m. ET Sunday."
Thank Goodness
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8188530/joe-paterno-statue-removed-penn-state-university-beaver-stadium
DAVE BYERS
12:14 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe didn't do it ,our beloved A.G.. at the time was too busy RUNNING ......for Gov. and where was Center county at all this time....ALL..well blame JOE ....he would have been shot if he open his mouth...on Jerry.
cc
1:02 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe did nothing to stop Sandusky, he should of went to the Police, but he chose to sweep it under the carpet, because it might hurt PSU football team and his record. Shame on him for the cover up and he deserved to be fired and if he was living he would deserve to be in JAIL with Sandusky. I don't believe that he would of been shot if he opened his mouth. People would of thought more of him if he did as he would of been saving other children from being Sandusky victims. In 2009 Attorney General Tom Corbett began an investigation into Sandusky and Penn State. Go read the article about it from the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/sports/ncaafootball/tom-corbett-pennsylvania-governor-couldnt-discuss-inquiry.html?pagewanted=all
LC
2:50 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
It has become clear alot of powerful people had reasons to sweep this under the rug. Paterno clearly was more worried about his own career and his football team than some young boys victimized by one of his subordinates. By the way, what was PSU's record in 1998 anyway?
fran jones
12:24 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
i too am for taking the statue down.
Lax Mom
12:26 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I would rather see the pensions go of those implicated.
Margaret French
12:49 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
that also.
LC
1:34 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Well lets hope that happens when the civil law suits are finished.
JoAnn
4:06 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I concur!
MA Corbett
1:28 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
So much validity is placed on what you are hearing or reading from the media, which is not always, or seldom is completely truthful. Several points in the Freeh finding are based on hearsay which should never be taken as gospel. I don't believe the truth has yet been uncovered. So remove the statue from the stadium and place it in the library for which he paid. To remove and destroy it would be too impulsive. Act in haste and repent in leisure.
LC
1:32 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Oh Please. There is plenty that was fact based. That is called denial.
LC
1:44 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
MA Corbett - "Act in haste and repent in leisure." What a perfect statement for PSU Administrators and Joe Paterno.
cc
3:11 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
FBI finished their investigation and got the facts that their was a big cover-up for Sandusky from Paterno and the head honcho's. Paterno's family didn't like what the Grand Jury and FBI uncovered so they are going to do their own investigation.
Roger
2:47 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Lawsuits, statues, regulations, rules, new people ...
Not much will change. Does anybody really think the next predator that floats around college campuses, high school locker rooms, youth centers, and similar places will stop their actions and look to the presence of absence of a statue, look at the new regulations, and look to the court proceedings of lawsuits to make their decision, "Yes," or "No?" Mankind has always been infiltrated with predators, like Sandusky. All the talk of statues, regulations, procedures and court proceedings are all external matters. They represent boundaries that anybody bent on actions similar to Sandusky will ignore.
The talk of the scandal says more about our society than about the scandal itself. As pointed out above, the number of similar actions is huge, yet this one gets publicity, upon more publicity. Where were all these wagon-boarders a year ago? Once the wagon got rolling, and it became fashionable to jump aboard and stomp, stomp, stomp, the population on the wagon grew exponentially.
The talk is about two things:(1) A sex based scandal (these are always the most titillating and fantasy provoking), (2) It serves as a base against people choose to judge themselves ("I am not as bad as those people -- look how good I am"). Not one of us is any better with regard to remaining free from evil. Sorry, but all those who wish to hang others out to dry need to look in the mirror. Evil is evil, no matter which way to turn.
LC
10:38 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
There will always be predators. But absolutely this provokes change in how people respond. It opens the lines of communication. It gets people talking to their own kids about a taboo subject that is very difficult to talk about. It gets executives at charities thinking about how to ensure this doesn't happen. And I would think it will make all University officials think twice before they try to cover up anything like this again.
dave m.
3:53 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
they need to get rid of the football program until everything dies down
dave m.
3:59 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
this reply went to plum/oakmont patch instead of the robinson /moon patch fyi
Sharon McKnight
4:08 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe did alot of wonderful things and was deservedly loved by many. Don't lose sight of that.
cc
7:28 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Joe might of did a lot of wonderful things, but the most important thing he should of did was picked up the phone and called the police instead of sweeping it under the rug. I lost all respect for JOE.
LC
10:39 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I'm sure some people say that about Jerry Sandusky too.
Chef Chuck Kerber
7:56 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
He knew something was happening and chose to do nothing about it, therefore he was complicit. It's that simple, period. The statue should be removed.
cc
9:56 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
You said it best Chef
jenn
9:47 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
No I do not believe it should be removed for the following reasons: Joe did great things within the community, he is NOT the one who molested these boys Jerry Sandusky is! Joe helped bring these young men to victory and to make careers out of their game. Joe has sadly passed on and can not defend himself, noone truly knows what he did or did not do because remember he passed on at the beginning of all of this. Joe was fired while Jerry was still employed and sitting in his boxed seats. Joe did report to his boss what he saw. Mike McQuery actually witnessed an event happening and his name is not being smeared through the mud. Just let that man and his name rest in peace! What i do not understand is why everyone wants to ruin that mans legacy and is not as ticked off at Jerry or Mike?
cc
10:30 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Jenn - here is the Grand Jury Investigation into Sandusky, go read it you might learn something about Joe Paterno. http://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/sandusky-grand-jury-presentment.pdf
Joe statue should of been taken down as he knew what was happening and chose not to report it to the Police or CYS and could of stopped Sandusky from raping more children. Go read the article from Sports Illustrate on this case.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_mccann/11/09/joe.paterno/index.html
Retired Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky charged with sexually assaulting 8 boys Read more: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/retired-penn-state-defensive-coordinator-jerry-sandusky-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-8-boys#ixzz21PJSoZo9
Here is Sandusky Timeline for working for Penn State University
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7212054/key-dates-penn-state-nittany-lions-sex-abuse-case
Who said no one isn't ticked off at Jerry or Mike, had their been articles written and posted on the Patch, I'm sure we all would be commenting on them.
Paterno statue needed to come down.
Girty
10:59 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I agree with you Jenn. JoePa did alot for PSU! Fine move the statue to the Library that he paid for, at least it would still be there. Why didn't Mike McQuery go to the police after what he saw?? Why wasn't he charged with not reporting it?? Joe is gone and can't even defend himself. The Freeh report is only 1 sided. Let Joe rest in peace.
JustMe
9:39 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Girty - The Freeh is the second report that was done, not the first. The first one was the Grand Jury investigation. Have you read either of these report? That statue needs to be sold and the money going to the victims, it doesn't belong in the library.
seen2mch
10:15 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
It would be extremely naive to think this same thing couldn`t/wouldn`t happen at any of the other Division I football and basketball schools. Why? Because we worship winners and we especially worship MONEY! Our society slobbers all over themselves over pro,college and even HS athletes and coaches and then when they screw up we are all over them with our righteous indignation and moral high ground...see Tiger Woods. To follow most everyones logic on this thread shouldn`t we be giving the Catholic Church the "death penalty" also? Which of their statues shall we remove and how stiff a penalty since they have been at it a lot longer than PSU while everyone looked the other way! How many of you posting on this thread are Catholic? Let`s not pick and choose who we punish but instead hold everyone accountable. Corbett could not have brought charges when he was AG of Pa.? That would have at least stopped PSU from protecting Sandusky. Were the trustees blind and deaf? Everyone needs to focus on making people accountable for their actions and stop wasting time on the statue.
Parent #2
4:22 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Seen2mch- Very poor analogy. I don't recall Jesus, Mary or any Saints perpetrating a crime like this or covering one up. And I don't know of any Catholic Church or institution that has a statue of someone who did the same. This scandal and the terrible acts of sexual abuse are a perfect example of why no man deserves idolization. Also- I agree that everyone should be held accountable; I wonder what Corbett knew and when, and how involved he was earlier on... Or what he was aware of...
cc
8:00 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Here is an article from the New York Times on the Sandusky investigation by Tom Colbett and is worth reading on what Colbett knew. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/sports/ncaafootball/tom-corbett-pennsylvania-governor-couldnt-discuss-inquiry.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
seen2mch- It isn't only the Catholic Church that has covered up scandals of Priest molesting boys, the Baptist, Methodist, Greek Orthodox, Muslim, etc all have cases out there against their Priest, Reverends being molesters. Go do a search on any Religion and you will find case after case.
How many teachers have been busted over the last ten years on having sex with minors ? They are closer than you think, Back in 2005 a teacher from South Park High School was added to http://www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/OffenderDetail.aspx?OffenderId=8704
thmp
12:17 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Drill a hole in the back side of the statue and put it in Jerry Sandusky's jail cell.
Margaret French
12:36 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
LOL Good one thmp.
JoAnn
4:13 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I can't get my mind around the thought that Mike McQueary witnessed a young child being molested by Sandusky and didn't grab that child and safely take him to the police station after he knocked out Sandusky's lights. He abetted this horrific crime!
He too should lose his pension!
cc
7:18 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
JoAnn agree, no one wanted to hurt PSU reputation though and it is a shame that they let that monster get away with it for all those years. They all need to be sitting in jail
Parent #2
4:49 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
This is sickening... http://www.psu.edu/president/pia/plans/ica.pdf
It is Penn State's Strategic Plan for Intercollegiate Athletics...
"Success with honor". Anyone supporting Paterno should read it... Just the first couple of pages.
Oren Spiegler
5:18 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Kudos to Penn State University President Rodney Erickson for doing the courageous, decent, and honorable thing by ordering the Beaver Stadium statue of Joe Paterno removed without further debate or adieu.
No doubt those who are blinded by and obsessed with the violent sport of football will be enraged that a god of the sport is seen as having been disrespected by the school to which he devoted his life. The president was wise to overrule these individuals, who decline to see the big picture and the putrid message that was sent by the continued presence of such a tribute.
So long as a statue honoring "educator", "coach" and "humanitarian" Paterno was standing in a place of honor, the lives of innocent and vulnerable children were trivialized.
Rodney Erickson has taken an important step toward the rehabilitation of a once-great institution of higher learning by removing an impediment to the healing process. Thank you and bless you, Mr. President!
cc
8:23 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
oren - i agree the statue had to go. No one complained when they repainted the mural for PSU football team and took out Sandusky portrait and removed the Halo from Joe's head.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/14/joe-paterno-halo-penn-state-painted-over_n_1673716.html , http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/state_college_mural_artist_to.html
There are many old and new pictures, articles about how they changed the mural and no one was screaming when they removed Sandusky or took the Halo off Paterno's head.
College is not about playing football, it is about education but some only think that football is important.
durf
8:30 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Bringing down the statue was the right thing to do. At this point i am sure Joe Pa wouldnt want it up or care if came down. However, Joe Pa didnt have power...He was fired in November and he could have been fired years ago. The board and everyone else looked to him as a god for everything he did. Now, they blame. Everyone should look in the mirror for putting individuals on such a high pedistol at the end of the day he was just a coach...Just like Rothlisberger is just a player, Lemiux, Brad Pitt...etc..etc.. He didnt have power.
Also, the 1998 case was investigated by the DA, PA State Police and DPW. No charges were filed against Sandusky..In todays world socitety wants to give those who were "convicted" or found "guiltly" of crimes second chances ie ( http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-04/living/job.fair.ex.felons_1_employment-fair-job-seekers-felons?_s=PM:LIVING). . This is someone who wasnt even orginally charged (2001 should have then raised eyebrows).
My point is...everyone is looking for someone to blame...but never wants to be the whistleblower in case "they" are wrong. Its a terrible way to look at things and its a shame...This issue is much larger than Joe Pa...but, the statue needs to come down.
JustMe
9:30 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Sorry but if I knew a child was being molested, I would do everything in my power to make sure that they were arrested and sitting in jail. Pa Joe knew what Sandusky was doing and did nothing about it.
Conrad
10:41 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Taking down that statue is a symbolic step in the right direction. They need to go one step further and paint over that stupid mural. Instead of taking off Sandusky's picture on the mural, perhaps they should have left it up and painted horns on him, much like how they painted a halo on Paterno's likeness, after he died. So the halo comes off, only to be replaced by a blue ribbon, in support of child abuse victims. In the future, Spanier's likeness is probably going to go as well, but overall it demonstrates the "Ostrich Mentality" that the powers that be at Penn State has blatently shown over the last 14 years.
diane
2:19 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! IF Joe Paterno knew about the abuse, shame on him!!! BUT that has absolutely nothing to do with how HE had coached AND respected his players over the years. And his players have always respected him as a coach and a mentor. I think the statue should be put in the Stadium where Joe and his team spent hours and hours of time together.
cc
5:03 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Fear not. Joe's legacy is very much intact. His legacy is that of a man who turned a blind eye to child rape in favor of a football program. No sanctions can ever take that legacy away.
RPD
3:49 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones;
Kelly W.
5:14 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
So glad to see it removed. They should melt it down. If they do not want to melt it, let the almighty Paterno family put it in their back yard.
It is about time they took that down. He does not deserve that recognition. He enabled a child rapist to continue raping little boys. That is no hero.
car
9:25 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Does anyone know if they did an autopsy on Mr. JoePa??
durf
8:54 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
@ just me.. Alot of people knew. Not just Joe. Also, you really dont know what he knew considering he was never interviewed by the investigators which were paid by PSU.. I can make my own investigation look how i want too.
This is all based on emails..we all know email can precieved in two different ways...did you read the report? both grand jury and freeh?
have a GOOD DAY! (now am i yelling or is my caps stuck) you will never know..because its all based on electronic communication.
JustMe
11:29 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
durf have you read the testimony of Joe Paterno to the grand jury. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/06/12/transcript-joe-paternos-grand-jury-testimony/ or http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/transcript-joe-paterno-grand-jury-testimony-29933 . It is a shame he died before the FBI investigation. I have read both of the investigation reports and the mighty Joe and Administration of Penn State need punished.
durf
12:45 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
@just me...sure did. I think this is larger than a football issue...A Lot larger...its amazing to me that the NCAA says its a "culture" problem...which it is.. but the only ones nailed is the football team.. The entire board of trustess should be gone..They are the ones with the real power..and they are the ones who let those who dont have any power to have precieved power...
There should be investigation into the PA State Police, Corbett, DPW, Second Mile Board, PSU Attorneys and so on and so on....The 98 incident was fully investigated by the authorities with no charges being brought, cant really blame that on Joe...alot more there then just him..I think the media needs to report on the full story not just the headline maker...i understand why, but just dont fully agree.
by the way..it wasnt an "FBI" investigation it was an investigation paid by PSU conducted by the former head of the FBI, far from the FBI...I am sure if the Paternos paid the same guy to do the investigation...things would be worded differentley...
I am not saying Patterno got a bad rap here. Just pointing out...this is much larger! Extremly! The janitor (now cant testify) even saw an incident with Sandusky and a boy and Told his supervisor ( just like the coaching assistant did). They decided not to say anything for "fear" they would lose their jobs! REALLY??!?!?!?! Fear...nothing actual! just fear!!!! Just as much to blame as Joe PA...can not deny that...
JustMe
7:16 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
durf the football team isn't the only one nailed. PSU was fined. Mighty Joe was knocked off his pedestal for them leaving a man go and molest more and more children. PSU isn't just about football, it is about education, all the students will go to class as normal, get an education and graduate and go out in the world and get a job. The mighty Joe testified to the grand jury and they have his testimony there and it wasn't hearsay.
Cindy Cusic Micco
6:50 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
To clarify: There was no FBI investigation.
http://thefreehreportonpsu.com/
The independent report was done by Louis Freeh and his law firm, Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP. Freeh is a former FBI director.
JustMe
7:11 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Firing of Joe Paterno was justified by Jerry Sandusky scandal, investigation concludes
Published: Thursday, July 12, 2012, 7:00 PM
By The Associated Press
Joe Paterno and other top Penn State officials buried child sexual abuse allegations against Jerry Sandusky more than a decade ago to avoid bad publicity, according to a scathing report Thursday that exposed a powerful "culture of reverence" for the football program and portrayed the Hall of Fame coach as more deeply involved in the scandal than previously thought. The alleged cover-up by Paterno, then-university President Graham Spanier and two other Penn State administrators allowed Sandusky to prey on other boys for years, said the report by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who was hired by the university's trustees to investigate. He called the officials' behavior "callous and shocking."
http://blog.nola.com/crime_impact/print.html?entry=/2012/07/firing_of_joe_paterno_was_just.html