Paterno made scapegoat for Penn State’s gain

Niagara Falls Reporter

Paterno made scapegoat for Penn State’s gain By Lenny Palumbo
Last week, the NCAA hammered Penn State’s football program with some of the most severe sanctions in the history of college athletics. The penalties, which erased 14 seasons of Coach Joe Paterno’s victories, also imposed $60 million in fines, no post-season play and a cap on scholarships 20 below the normal limit for four years. Meant to bring closure to the horrific Sandusky pedophilia scandal, they reveal the NCAA to be a self-serving entity that made Paterno the scapegoat in one of the most ruthless backstabs in history. Perhaps most obscene is the NCAA’s decision to strip Paterno and Penn State of its football victories dating back to 1998. At the time of his death, Paterno had 409 total collegiate wins, the most ever in the history of big-time college football. The vacating of 111 wins knocks him down to 298. Consequently, he no longer officially holds the top spot that is rightfully his. Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator, was convicted in June of sexually abusing 10 boys. At least five incidents took place on the Penn State campus, going as far back as 1998. The year is important in judging Paterno and others at the university because it was in 1998 that Pennsylvania’s Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar first learned of Sandusky’s actions. Following a long investigation, Gricar decided not to press charges. As a result, the university’s police chief, Thomas Harmon, ordered Sandusky’s case closed. Gricar’s investigation included testimony from two Penn State police detectives who said Sandusky admitted to showering with young boys. As far back as 1998,Sandusky’s behavior was known to Penn State University Police, State College Police Department, the Centre County Office of the District Attorney, an attorney for (Sandusky’s) Second Mile foundation, several Penn State attorneys and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Welfare. In April 2005, Gricar disappeared off the face of the earth and was never seen again. His laptop, containing all the information pertaining to the Sandusky case, was found in the Susquehanna River, its hard drive destroyed. Last July, he was declared dead. Sandusky retired in 1999 shortly after the investigations. Inexplicably, he was awarded an unusual compensation package and a special designation of “Emeritus” rank by current President Rodney Erikson, who at the time served as Provost, allowing Sandusky continued access to the university’s recreational facilities. According to reports, Sandusky accepted resignation in exchange for emeritus rank, normally granted only to professors, librarians, scientists and deans. At the time, Vice-Provost Robert Secor told Erikson there was no precedent for awarding emeritus status to an employee like Sandusky. In an act of cowardice and betrayal, Erickson recently decided to remove the statue of Paterno that stood outside Beaver Stadium. But let’s get back to what Paterno knew and didn’t know: Paterno knew Sandusky had been investigated and not charged by the DA and Penn State university police, and had been granted emeritus status by the university president and provost. He knew Sandusky - after he no longer worked under him - may have engaged in sexual misconduct with a boy in the showers of Lasch Football Building. Despite much misreporting, then-graduate assistant coach Mike McQueary, at a preliminary hearing, testified he “believed” Sandusky was having “some type of intercourse” with the boy, but that he was not “100 percent sure.” McQueary later told a grand jury that Sandusky and the boy might have been “wrestling” or “horsing around.” The shower incident which occurred in 2002 was possible because Sandusky, who was no longer part of the Penn State football program, was allowed to be on campus because of an arrangement made with university officials other than Paterno, notably current president Erickson. After McQueary reported this vague information to Paterno, the coach reported the incident up the chain of command to athletic director Tim Curley, who reported it to the vice president. Then-President Graham Spanier was informed of Sandusky’s alleged behavior. Instead of making a police report, the vice president took away Sandusky’s locker room keys. An investigation conducted by Curley determined “no sexual contact had taken place.” No further action was taken. Despite the fact that Paterno had nothing to do with any of the investigations conducted by the DA, Penn State university police or athletic director Curley, and despite the fact that he did exactly as he was required by reporting the alleged unlawful conduct, he was fired by Penn State and demonized by the corporate-owned media. ESP, which is owned by Disney Corporation, beat a steady drum calling for Paterno’s head before any details were known. The network’s main character assassin, Joe Schad, has apparently been rewarded for his willingness to crucify Paterno with a promotion to ESPN’s popular College Football Live program. To some, the selling of one’s soul and the sacrifice of one’s dignity for the furtherance of their career is a fair exchange. Another ESPN writer, Rick Reilly, called Paterno a “liar” who “took all of his dirty secrets to the grave.” Reilly described himself as a “fool,” “idiot,” “stooge,” “sap,” “chump” and “tool” for giving Paterno the benefit of the doubt. He is all of these things but not for the reason he says. Disney, the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue, acquired ESPN in 1995 and immediately began to transform the network into the sports world’s equivalent of CNN and Fox News. While it was at one time must viewing for sports fans, it is now a shadow of its former self with expert analysts replaced by dimwitted, empty-headed contributors that have reduced the all-sports network to just another media outlet corrupted by powerful corporations. More than any other media outlet, ESPN is responsible for the desecration of Paterno’s reputation. In light of all this, it appears obvious that legendary football coach Joe Paterno was used as a scapegoat to shield more guilty persons from punishment. The term “scapegoat” originated with the Jewish Day of Atonement where the sins of the many were transferred to the scapegoat that was sent off into the wilderness. The practice affixes blame to people like Paterno, who are mostly blameless, in order to purge the sins of the guilty. Many have already repeated ad nauseam that Paterno’s involvement in the Sandusky scandal has forever tarnished his legacy. Countless kneejerk numbskulls and pathetic corporate puppets have already accepted this falsehood. But for those who see the injustice done to Joe Paterno for what it is, he will always be remembered as the most successful coach in college football history, and a man who conducted himself with honor, integrity and class to the very end. Rest in peace, Joe Paterno. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG.

By Lenny Palumbo

Last week, the NCAA hammered Penn State’s football program with some of the most severe sanctions in the history of college athletics. The penalties, which erased 14 seasons of Coach Joe Paterno’s victories, also imposed $60 million in fines, no post-season play and a cap on scholarships 20 below the normal limit for four years. Meant to bring closure to the horrific Sandusky pedophilia scandal, they reveal the NCAA to be a self-serving entity that made Paterno the scapegoat in one of the most ruthless backstabs in history.

Perhaps most obscene is the NCAA’s decision to strip Paterno and Penn State of its football victories dating back to 1998. At the time of his death, Paterno had 409 total collegiate wins, the most ever in the history of big-time college football. The vacating of 111 wins knocks him down to 298. Consequently, he no longer officially holds the top spot that is rightfully his.
Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator, was convicted in June of sexually abusing 10 boys. At least five incidents took place on the Penn State campus, going as far back as 1998.

The year is important in judging Paterno and others at the university because it was in 1998 that Pennsylvania’s Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar first learned of Sandusky’s actions. Following a long investigation, Gricar decided not to press charges. As a result, the university’s police chief, Thomas Harmon, ordered Sandusky’s case closed.

Gricar’s investigation included testimony from two Penn State police detectives who said Sandusky admitted to showering with young boys. As far back as 1998,Sandusky’s behavior was known to Penn State University Police, State College Police Department, the Centre County Office of the District Attorney, an attorney for (Sandusky’s) Second Mile foundation, several Penn State attorneys and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Welfare.

In April 2005, Gricar disappeared off the face of the earth and was never seen again. His laptop, containing all the information pertaining to the Sandusky case, was found in the Susquehanna River, its hard drive destroyed. Last July, he was declared dead.

Sandusky retired in 1999 shortly after the investigations. Inexplicably, he was awarded an unusual compensation package and a special designation of “Emeritus” rank by current President Rodney Erikson, who at the time served as Provost, allowing Sandusky continued access to the university’s recreational facilities. According to reports, Sandusky accepted resignation in exchange for emeritus rank, normally granted only to professors, librarians, scientists and deans. At the time, Vice-Provost Robert Secor told Erikson there was no precedent for awarding emeritus status to an employee like Sandusky.

In an act of cowardice and betrayal, Erickson recently decided to remove the statue of Paterno that stood outside Beaver Stadium.

But let’s get back to what Paterno knew and didn’t know: Paterno knew Sandusky had been investigated and not charged by the DA and Penn State university police, and had been granted emeritus status by the university president and provost. He knew Sandusky - after he no longer worked under him - may have engaged in sexual misconduct with a boy in the showers of Lasch Football Building.

Despite much misreporting, then-graduate assistant coach Mike McQueary, at a preliminary hearing, testified he “believed” Sandusky was having “some type of intercourse” with the boy, but that he was not “100 percent sure.” McQueary later told a grand jury that Sandusky and the boy might have been “wrestling” or “horsing around.” The shower incident which occurred in 2002 was possible because Sandusky, who was no longer part of the Penn State football program, was allowed to be on campus because of an arrangement made with university officials other than Paterno, notably current president Erickson.

After McQueary reported this vague information to Paterno, the coach reported the incident up the chain of command to athletic director Tim Curley, who reported it to the vice president. Then-President Graham Spanier was informed of Sandusky’s alleged behavior. Instead of making a police report, the vice president took away Sandusky’s locker room keys. An investigation conducted by Curley determined “no sexual contact had taken place.” No further action was taken.

Despite the fact that Paterno had nothing to do with any of the investigations conducted by the DA, Penn State university police or athletic director Curley, and despite the fact that he did exactly as he was required by reporting the alleged unlawful conduct, he was fired by Penn State and demonized by the corporate-owned media. ESP, which is owned by Disney Corporation, beat a steady drum calling for Paterno’s head before any details were known. The network’s main character assassin, Joe Schad, has apparently been rewarded for his willingness to crucify Paterno with a promotion to ESPN’s popular College Football Live program. To some, the selling of one’s soul and the sacrifice of one’s dignity for the furtherance of their career is a fair exchange.

Another ESPN writer, Rick Reilly, called Paterno a “liar” who “took all of his dirty secrets to the grave.” Reilly described himself as a “fool,” “idiot,” “stooge,” “sap,” “chump” and “tool” for giving Paterno the benefit of the doubt. He is all of these things but not for the reason he says.

Disney, the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue, acquired ESPN in 1995 and immediately began to transform the network into the sports world’s equivalent of CNN and Fox News. While it was at one time must viewing for sports fans, it is now a shadow of its former self with expert analysts replaced by dimwitted, empty-headed contributors that have reduced the all-sports network to just another media outlet corrupted by powerful corporations.

More than any other media outlet, ESPN is responsible for the desecration of Paterno’s reputation.

In light of all this, it appears obvious that legendary football coach Joe Paterno was used as a scapegoat to shield more guilty persons from punishment. The term “scapegoat” originated with the Jewish Day of Atonement where the sins of the many were transferred to the scapegoat that was sent off into the wilderness. The practice affixes blame to people like Paterno, who are mostly blameless, in order to purge the sins of the guilty.

Many have already repeated ad nauseam that Paterno’s involvement in the Sandusky scandal has forever tarnished his legacy.

Countless kneejerk numbskulls and pathetic corporate puppets have already accepted this falsehood. But for those who see the injustice done to Joe Paterno for what it is, he will always be remembered as the most successful coach in college football history, and a man who conducted himself with honor, integrity and class to the very end.
Rest in peace, Joe Paterno. YOU DID NOTHING WRONG.

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com July 31 , 2012