COACH TURNS FROM MENTOR TO PREDATOR

Joe Paterno

One of the biggest stories that has been circling the nation is the sexual abuse charges placed against Penn State's assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

"Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who has been indicted on charges of sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years, had access to the team's weight room as recently as last week, according to reports. The report came just hours before coach Joe Paterno was scheduled to hold his first news conference since his former protege was arrested Saturday on 40 criminal counts of child sex abuse. The news conference was abruptly canceled by the university Tuesday" (ESPN, 2011). 

Jerry Sandusky

Apparently, a graduate student had seen Sandusky attacking a young boy in the team locker room in 2002. The graduate student had told Penn State's Head Coach Joe Paterno what he had saw. Instead of reporting the matter to the police, Paterno went to the university administrators. There has been a huge debate circling this story whether Joe Paterno should have done more. 


I personally wonder whether things would be different if Joe Paterno wasn't such a decorated coach and the Penn Athletic department wasn't worth so much money. I mean when did it become okay for a man in power sexually abuse young children. A football coach is in a position to be a mentor to students, children and young adults. How could a man capable of committing such sinful crimes be given the privilege and power that the position as a college football coach entails? And why is it okay that the graduate student and Joe Paterno knew about this and didn't report it to the police? 


I mean Sandusky has reportedly been molesting young boys from the age of 10-14 for over 15 years! That is such a long time for a man to get away with such heinous crimes. Think about how many childhoods he ruined. I cannot believe that people are defending Joe Paterno for not coming forward. I understand that he is a decorated coach and well-known for being a good man, but COME ON! This is crazy; there should be no debate as to whether he should be punished some how or not. Now, I am not saying I am in any position to comment as to how he should be punished, but I do believe that he deserves something. I don't know whether I think that him losing his job is sufficient enough, but the action was definitely appropriate. 

I genuinely feel bad for Penn State students, especially the athletes. They are suffering the shame of their supposed "mentors," and it's not okay. The athletic program is about the student athletes, and this scandal has made people forget that. I pray and wish all the students and athletes well. I hope the chaos surrounding this story will die down soon, and they can get back to focusing on positive things. 

I also pray for all the victims of Sandusky and their families. Situations like these should never occur and one's involved should be punished accordingly. People can't and shouldn't forget the difference between right and wrong.  

This is a ESPN video that looks back on Joe Paterno's career and how the scandal has affected his life. 


xoxoxo Nicole