Within a 15-year period, at least 8 innocent boys were allegedly victims of a sexual predator, former Penn State defensive coach Jerry Sandusky. When the allegations were made, reaction was strong from people everywhere, but especially from the PSU community.   The question is:  was the crying for the innocent children who were victimized and the ensuing cover up or was it really for a beloved football coach who was sacked for the behavior of one of his colleagues?
  I have news for you.  This crime is bigger than  Penn State.  It is bigger than Joe Paterno and it is certainly bigger than the football team.
      Paterno and University President Graham Spanier were fired and criminal charges are pending against athletic director Tim Curley and school vice president Gary Schultz for allegedly failing to report a 2002 incident involving Sandusky. Curley has taken a leave of absence; Schultz has stepped down.      
  Good.  They lost their jobs, but what these boys lost can never be recovered.  I am horrified that the abuse continued for so long when there were so many people who knew about it. It is hard to maintain any level of respect for these men as coaches when they so willingly cared more for a winning record than for the health, safety, and well-being of children.  These men deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Not reporting the abuse is just as bad as the abuse itself.
  Yes, Paterno took a step in the right direction by reporting the abuse to the University, but that’s not enough.  He claims that he wasn’t aware of the entire situation, but as soon as he got a hint of the scandal, Paterno obligation was to go to the police to report a crime---instead, he simply reported the matter to his supervisor  who nothing.  That supervisor didn’t follow up, and he continued to let Sandusky operate football camps and go on outings with young boys without warning anyone of the dangers.  In so doing he allowed the abuse to continue.
  There have been riots and protests galore, fans wanting to see their coach finish the last 3 games of the season. Excuse me, but 8 boys were raped by a monster. Paterno had the power to stop it, but he did not. Now, these boys have to endure the physical and psychological trauma forced upon them for the rest of their lives. Why should he be allowed to retire with honor, when these boys and their families are going through hell.
   Truth be told, Sandusky will probably get away with this. He hired a great attorney, ironically one who has a history of sexual misconduct as well.  Sandusky  is already out on unsecured bond, and he is already back at home as if nothing ever happened.    It probably helps that the judge who released him also volunteers for Sandusky’s charity Second Mile, around which the scandal is centered.  The man who reviewed the first case in 1998 was also involved in Second Mile. Coincidence? I think not.
      This situation is about more than just football. This is about the injustices done to these kids. So let the fans riot on the streets. It won’t bring Paterno back. It  won’t ease the life-long damages inflicted on all the children.  Instead of recklessly cavorting in the streets, perhaps our time would be better spent praying for the victims and working to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.