Say It Ain't So, Joe

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” – Edmund Burke

            45 years as a respected and loved coach gone.  It’s unfortunate that Joe Paterno’s career will be marred by one action, or the lack of one action, but that’s also the way it should be.  All those involved: the graduate assistant (Mike McQueary); Paterno; Tim Curley (the Penn State athletic director); and Jerry Sandusky of course, should be held accountable for all the boys who were harmed by Sandusky.

            Of course Joe Paterno is the most recognizable face and therefore he will receive the brunt of outrage.  Although this is unfair it’s part of the job title and he has received more credit than he deserves for the program he helped build.  It comes with the territory.

            According to the grand jury testimony Sandusky had 7 victims by 1998.  In 1998 a boy told his mother that Sandusky “bear hugged” him in the shower.  His mother reported this to the police and Sandusky even apologized to her saying “I understand I was wrong. I am sorry”.  The police eventually closed the case with no legal punishment for Sandusky.  The following year Jerry Sandusky resigned.  After 30 years of coaching at Penn State he quit at the age of 55.

            At this point there are two schools of thought. A) Paterno and officials were not aware of what happened and Sandusky’s resignation was merely coincidental.  B) Paterno and Penn State knew about the allegations and forced Sandusky out to cover their asses.  The second would be more damning but ultimately it does not matter.  Paterno was justly fired.  Jump to 2002.

According to Paterno’s grand jury testimony, in 2002 Mike McQueary told him that Sandusky was involved with “fondling” and “sexual conduct” with a “young boy” in the shower.  This was enough information for him to report it to his superiors.   By informing one’s superior you are not shifting complete responsibility. Especially in Joe Paterno’s case because he is in a position of special power and is more influential than his ‘superior’.  Tim Curley and McQueary met a week and a half later; Curley claimed McQueary did not mention “sexual conduct of any kind”.  McQueary denies this and says he went into full detail about the sexual conduct.  The jury deemed McQueary’s testimony “very credible” while “portions of Curley’s testimony were not credible”. 

After Tim Curley met with McQueary, Curley decided that Sandusky would have to turn in his keys to the locker room and his charity would be informed.  At this point, when the higher-ups have decided to basically drop the case with no serious repercussions, both Paterno and McQueary should contact the police.  One police call and the situation blows up.  If Paterno was not aware of the 1998 allegations than he still knows there was “sexual conduct” and “fondling”; this is enough information to go to the police with.  The fact that someone else, Tim Curley in this case, has decided the police shouldn’t be contacted is completely irrelevant.  Joe Paterno protected his friend and his program and not the kids who needed his protection most.

(All quotes are from grand jury testimony)