For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids.
Precisely. No one to my knowledge thinks Paterno had absolutely no redeeming qualities... he was a great coach and did a lot of good outside of the football field. The problem is that for whatever reason, he didn't do any due diligence when it came to following up on Sandusky's alleged actions. He had an opportunity to come out of this as a hero, and cement his "legacy" even further. But he did little to nothing. And that's why many people were angry at him.
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids. >>
I think what most of the Paterno apologists don't get was that this man was revealed of himself last fall -- a control freak who valued his reputation and the apparent integrity of his football program more than anything else in the world. He had no concern whatsoever about Sandusky's victims, and sucessfully hid Sandusky's "transgressions" for decades instead of protecting vulnerable children. His total indifference continued fully until the scandal broke, as, incredibly, Sandusky was still using Penn State workout facilities last fall. This was not a "lapse in judgement", it was an intentional cover-up. The sum of his good deeds do not outweigh the damage done to the lives of countless children.
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
Despite attending Penn State University Park for 4.5 years, I never had the opportunity to meet JoePa. I heard stories of friends that had - most memorably two friends who, while out riding their bikes, saw him driving home from practice on the eve of the 2005 Ohio State game. They decided to follow him all the way into his garage so that they could shake his hand and wish him luck. Instead of being weirded out (which would have been pretty understandable) he was very gracious and thanked them for the support.
The first weekend in this past December, I was visiting Penn State for a number of different reasons. While I was there, I wanted to show my support for Joe in light of his cancer diagnosis and how he had been mistreated by the University and the press (based on incomplete information and misinformation) in the last month. I decided to leave him a note expressing my support along with a blue & white bouquet of flowers. I felt awkward approaching the Paternos' home. I had heard stories of students and alumni that had walked right up, rung the doorbell, and been welcomed in by Joe and Sue - in some cases, even being fed by Sue - but having never met the Paternos, I didn't have the nerve. I left the note and bouquet on their doorstep and walked away. That was the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 4. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, I received a text from my Mom:
"Does Joe Pa live on McKee St? If so, you got a card from him."
I think my jaw must have dropped about five feet. I was absolutely stunned that Joe and Sue would take the time to send me a card. Later, when I read the card, I was even more humbled by what it contained. Joe and Sue thanked me for the flowers and the note, and said that Joe was drawing strength in his battle with cancer from all the support he had received from Penn Staters. They said that it was "good to be reminded of what we were trying to accomplish at Penn State." They said that after they finished "getting Joe healthy," they would work to remind people of the values that Joe had tried to impart during his time at Penn State. The card was signed, "Very fondly, Joe and Sue Paterno"
But here is the most amazing thing about all of this and what shocks me even to this day: I DIDN'T LEAVE ANY CONTACT INFORMATION WITH MY NOTE. I had signed the note with my name, and mentioned my graduation year, but had been very intentional about not leaving an address, email address, phone number, anything. This means that Sue (I have to think it was her, given Joe's health at the time), despite receiving hundreds of letters from alumni per day, took the time to look me up in the alumni directory (which still contained my parents' address at the time) and send me a card. The Paternos had never met me before; I'm not a huge donor to the school; I'm not someone important who can do anything for them; I'm just another alum. And they went way out of their way to send me a thank you card THE VERY NEXT DAY.
Recently, Penn Staters have been characterized as football-crazed idiots for supporting JoePa despite the allegations made against him in the press. I can tell you that Penn Staters' love for JoePa has almost nothing to do with football. Chris Grovich of Black Shoe Diaries may have put it best when he wrote, "[JoePa] believed in all of us [Penn Staters], whether we knew it or not." Penn Staters are the Paternos' life work and legacy. Joe never missed an opportunity to remind us that success is only valuable when it comes with honor, and that all of us - football players or not - were at college primarily to gain an education, broaden our horizons, and become better people. It is not an overstatement to say that a part of who I am today is directly because of Joe Paterno and his love for Penn State.
Simply put, Joe loved Penn State. That's the only kind of thing that could keep him at Penn State, where he was paid a salary 1/8 the size of other college coaches with half his wins and rejected multimillion dollar offers from NFL teams. That's the only kind of thing that could cause him to donate $100,000 to Penn State a month after the administration fired him over the phone. That's the only kind of thing that could make someone of Joe's stature take the time to send a thank you card to an anonymous alum despite dealing with immense personal trials himself. Joe loved Penn State.
And Penn State loves him back. Thank you, Coach. >>
I have mixed feelings about Joe Paterno's death. My gut tells me there is a lot more to the Sandusky story than what has been bantered in the news and the released grand jury findings. And it could go either way as there is a lot out there that doesn't seem to add up. Based on what I've read I would give it a 65% chance of looking WAY WORSE for Paterno and Penn State with cover-ups starting when Sandusky started and a 35% chance of an Amirault type outcome (at least for Paterno and Penn State, clearly, even at its most "innocent" connotations Sandusky was not someone I would let my kids hang around).
I agree. It was sad to lose John Wooden recently. >>
+50 >>
X2
MJ
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
The following quote is an excerpt from the AP report:
"Some of the report's most damning evidence against Paterno consists of handwritten notes and emails that portray him as being involved with a decision by the officials not to tell child welfare authorities about the 2001 encounter.
Spanier, Schultz and Curley drew up a plan that called for reporting Sandusky to the state Department of Child Welfare. But Curley later said in an email that he changed his mind about the plan "after giving it more thought and talking it over with Joe."
Spanier concurred but noted "the only downside for us is if the message isn't (heard) and acted upon and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it."
The emails also show Paterno closely followed the 1998 allegation"
Now we know for fact, Paterno knew everything that was going on, and was part of the coverup.
We also know that when it was about to hit the fan, Paterno strong armed the university to give him a new contract, that among other things, gave him a $3 million bonus for stepping down and forgave his debt to the school (~$350,000), among other things (use of school's private plane, stadium luxury box, et al).
Paterno also sold his house to his wife for $1 and moved other assets into her name....right before the first court report came out. Gee, I wonder why he did that?
Nike announced this week it is renaming it's Paterno Child Center. Penn State should follow their lead and remove the Paterno statue, plus rename anything at the college that is currently Paterno.
Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards. Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids. >>
I think what most of the Paterno apologists don't get was that this man was revealed of himself last fall -- a control freak who valued his reputation and the apparent integrity of his football program more than anything else in the world. He had no concern whatsoever about Sandusky's victims, and sucessfully hid Sandusky's "transgressions" for decades instead of protecting vulnerable children. His total indifference continued fully until the scandal broke, as, incredibly, Sandusky was still using Penn State workout facilities last fall. This was not a "lapse in judgement", it was an intentional cover-up. The sum of his good deeds do not outweigh the damage done to the lives of countless children. >>
I did not need the Freeh report to figure this out previously, but, as you can see, I was spot-on.
This was not a "lapse in judgement", it was an intentional cover-up. The sum of his good deeds do not outweigh the damage done to the lives of countless children. >>
absolutely brilliant observation- i've been getting quite annoyed with the "lapse in judgement" phrase...
The reality is the control that football and basketball play at most major universities is incredibly scary. I guarantee you Penn State is not the only one guilty of many crimes to protect the big sports teams. FACT!
Comments
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids.
Precisely. No one to my knowledge thinks Paterno had absolutely no redeeming qualities... he was a great coach and did a lot of good outside of the football field. The problem is that for whatever reason, he didn't do any due diligence when it came to following up on Sandusky's alleged actions. He had an opportunity to come out of this as a hero, and cement his "legacy" even further. But he did little to nothing. And that's why many people were angry at him.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids. >>
I think what most of the Paterno apologists don't get was that this man was revealed of himself last fall -- a control freak who valued his reputation and the apparent integrity of his football program more than anything else in the world. He had no concern whatsoever about Sandusky's victims, and sucessfully hid Sandusky's "transgressions" for decades instead of protecting vulnerable children. His total indifference continued fully until the scandal broke, as, incredibly, Sandusky was still using Penn State workout facilities last fall. This was not a "lapse in judgement", it was an intentional cover-up. The sum of his good deeds do not outweigh the damage done to the lives of countless children.
I agree. It was sad to lose John Wooden recently.
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
Despite attending Penn State University Park for 4.5 years, I never had the opportunity to meet JoePa. I heard stories of friends that had - most memorably two friends who, while out riding their bikes, saw him driving home from practice on the eve of the 2005 Ohio State game. They decided to follow him all the way into his garage so that they could shake his hand and wish him luck. Instead of being weirded out (which would have been pretty understandable) he was very gracious and thanked them for the support.
The first weekend in this past December, I was visiting Penn State for a number of different reasons. While I was there, I wanted to show my support for Joe in light of his cancer diagnosis and how he had been mistreated by the University and the press (based on incomplete information and misinformation) in the last month. I decided to leave him a note expressing my support along with a blue & white bouquet of flowers. I felt awkward approaching the Paternos' home. I had heard stories of students and alumni that had walked right up, rung the doorbell, and been welcomed in by Joe and Sue - in some cases, even being fed by Sue - but having never met the Paternos, I didn't have the nerve. I left the note and bouquet on their doorstep and walked away. That was the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 4.
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, I received a text from my Mom:
"Does Joe Pa live on McKee St? If so, you got a card from him."
I think my jaw must have dropped about five feet. I was absolutely stunned that Joe and Sue would take the time to send me a card. Later, when I read the card, I was even more humbled by what it contained. Joe and Sue thanked me for the flowers and the note, and said that Joe was drawing strength in his battle with cancer from all the support he had received from Penn Staters. They said that it was "good to be reminded of what we were trying to accomplish at Penn State." They said that after they finished "getting Joe healthy," they would work to remind people of the values that Joe had tried to impart during his time at Penn State. The card was signed, "Very fondly, Joe and Sue Paterno"
But here is the most amazing thing about all of this and what shocks me even to this day: I DIDN'T LEAVE ANY CONTACT INFORMATION WITH MY NOTE. I had signed the note with my name, and mentioned my graduation year, but had been very intentional about not leaving an address, email address, phone number, anything. This means that Sue (I have to think it was her, given Joe's health at the time), despite receiving hundreds of letters from alumni per day, took the time to look me up in the alumni directory (which still contained my parents' address at the time) and send me a card. The Paternos had never met me before; I'm not a huge donor to the school; I'm not someone important who can do anything for them; I'm just another alum. And they went way out of their way to send me a thank you card THE VERY NEXT DAY.
Recently, Penn Staters have been characterized as football-crazed idiots for supporting JoePa despite the allegations made against him in the press. I can tell you that Penn Staters' love for JoePa has almost nothing to do with football. Chris Grovich of Black Shoe Diaries may have put it best when he wrote, "[JoePa] believed in all of us [Penn Staters], whether we knew it or not." Penn Staters are the Paternos' life work and legacy. Joe never missed an opportunity to remind us that success is only valuable when it comes with honor, and that all of us - football players or not - were at college primarily to gain an education, broaden our horizons, and become better people. It is not an overstatement to say that a part of who I am today is directly because of Joe Paterno and his love for Penn State.
Simply put, Joe loved Penn State. That's the only kind of thing that could keep him at Penn State, where he was paid a salary 1/8 the size of other college coaches with half his wins and rejected multimillion dollar offers from NFL teams. That's the only kind of thing that could cause him to donate $100,000 to Penn State a month after the administration fired him over the phone. That's the only kind of thing that could make someone of Joe's stature take the time to send a thank you card to an anonymous alum despite dealing with immense personal trials himself. Joe loved Penn State.
And Penn State loves him back. Thank you, Coach. >>
+1
The world lost a great man. RIP Joe.
<< <i>rip to the greatest coach ever.
I agree. It was sad to lose John Wooden recently. >>
+50
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
<< <i>
<< <i>rip to the greatest coach ever.
I agree. It was sad to lose John Wooden recently. >>
+50
X2
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
<< <i>rip to the greatest coach ever. >>
+1000
<< <i>
<< <i>rip to the greatest coach ever. >>
+1000 >>
Penn State report on Sandusky to be released tomorrow. I predict the number of people left on Paterno Island will decrease significantly.
"Some of the report's most damning evidence against Paterno consists of handwritten notes and emails that portray him as being involved with a decision by the officials not to tell child welfare authorities about the 2001 encounter.
Spanier, Schultz and Curley drew up a plan that called for reporting Sandusky to the state Department of Child Welfare. But Curley later said in an email that he changed his mind about the plan "after giving it more thought and talking it over with Joe."
Spanier concurred but noted "the only downside for us is if the message isn't (heard) and acted upon and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it."
The emails also show Paterno closely followed the 1998 allegation"
Ouch.
Great football coach, maybe. Great man? Hardly.
Now we know for fact, Paterno knew everything that was going on, and was part of the coverup.
We also know that when it was about to hit the fan, Paterno strong armed the university to give him a new contract, that among other things, gave him a $3 million bonus for stepping down and forgave his debt to the school (~$350,000), among other things (use of school's private plane, stadium luxury box, et al).
Paterno also sold his house to his wife for $1 and moved other assets into her name....right before the first court report came out. Gee, I wonder why he did that?
Nike announced this week it is renaming it's Paterno Child Center. Penn State should follow their lead and remove the Paterno statue, plus rename anything at the college that is currently Paterno.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
<< <i>
<< <i>For those of you that do not understand why we are making such a big deal about a football coach, PLEASE read this. This is a true story of a PSU alumn, named Mark Willard. And this story is the reason why we mourn. I just thought this was a great story and wanted to share it with everyone.
There is no question he was a great man that went well beyond football. However, sadly, he will be MORE remembered for a major lapse in judgement. All the good stories in the world won't take away the fact that he did not take the action he should have to protect the kids. >>
I think what most of the Paterno apologists don't get was that this man was revealed of himself last fall -- a control freak who valued his reputation and the apparent integrity of his football program more than anything else in the world. He had no concern whatsoever about Sandusky's victims, and sucessfully hid Sandusky's "transgressions" for decades instead of protecting vulnerable children. His total indifference continued fully until the scandal broke, as, incredibly, Sandusky was still using Penn State workout facilities last fall. This was not a "lapse in judgement", it was an intentional cover-up. The sum of his good deeds do not outweigh the damage done to the lives of countless children. >>
I did not need the Freeh report to figure this out previously, but, as you can see, I was spot-on.
absolutely brilliant observation- i've been getting quite annoyed with the "lapse in judgement" phrase...
<< <i>RIP or RIH? >>
No, BIH (cartoon shows before and after Bear Bryant read the Freeh report):