As the father of three young boys — 12, 10, and 6 — I have followed with disgust, sadness, and anger the sordid events surrounding the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal that has cost Joe Paterno his job. Before the news broke on Wednesday night, I was prepared to write a post on why Paterno must go now. The swift and decisive actions taken by the Penn State Board of Trustees have obviously changed the facts on the ground.
In what had to be one of the most difficult decisions that the Trustee Board will ever make, the men and women who serve as Trustees at Penn State took the only morally justifiable action that they could have taken given the facts that were laid at their doorstep, facts which are both reprehensible and incomprehensible at the same time. For Joe Paterno, a man who has been the head coach at Penn State for as long as I have been alive, the details that continue to emerge in the child sex abuse case involving his former Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky have tarnished an otherwise spotless record. However, the tarnishing and shame that is rightfully falling at Joe Paterno’s doorsteps is, in large measure, attributable to no one other that JoPa himself.
Largely tone-deaf since the scandal broke over the weekend, Paterno has at times exhibited little understanding of the gravity of what “allegedly” took place in 2002 involving Sandusky and a 10 year-old boy in the showers at the Penn State Football facility. While perhaps legally in the clear, it is apparent that Coach Paterno took the minimally required step of informing a “higher up” of the alleged sexual activity that had been witnessed by then graduate assistant and now assistant coach Mike McQueary.
But, given the status of Joe Paterno at Penn State, who was really “higher” than him in terms of authority? The Athletic Director? The President of the University? When Paterno was asked to step down in 2004 (only two years removed from the alleged incident) by these same individuals, he said no. So much for anyone having more authority than JoPa at Penn State.
And, it was to that authority — clearly lacking any moral component — that Joe Paterno turned to on Wednesday when he announced that he would be resigning at the end of this season. Said Paterno:
That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.
Did Paterno really think that the Board of Trustees should not “spend one single minute discussing” his status? Was he that above it all that he thought that he could brush off the Trustees with a preemptive resignation? Apparently for Paterno, no one — not even the Board of Trustees — was going to tell him what to do. Like in 2004, Paterno — an employee of Penn State — thought he would dictate to everyone else the terms of his departure. But, unlike the earlier confrontation with the President and A.D. over a losing football season, this time was different. This time, the stakes were much higher. This time, the loss of games was not at stake, but rather the loss of childhood innocence.
Since 1966, Joe Paterno has ruled the roost at Penn State. Behind the glasses and the grandfatherly demeanor, there beat the heart of a football coach that taught integrity, honesty, character, and winning. For whatever inexplicable reason in 2002 (and in the years following that horrific incident), Joe Paterno appears to have fallen woefully short on the first three, even as he continued to amass the most wins of any college football coach.
On Wednesday night, a unanimous Trustee Board summarily dismissed Joe Paterno as the Head Football Coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. They did what was required to restore integrity, honesty, and character to a football program and university in shambles. In life, there are more important things than winning football games. Only time will tell whether or not Joe Paterno ever comes to grips with his moral failure to act in 2002.
It has been said that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. There are many who are shedding tears for a good man, one Joe Paterno. Not me. My tears are for the boys (nine and counting) who were brutally assaulted while good men — including Joe Paterno — did next to nothing. That’s why Coach Paterno had to go.
A quote (copied from FBC Jax Watchdog blog) from an Al Mohler (president of SBTS) blog: “We all need an immediate reality check. I discovered yesterday that the policy handbook of the institution I am proud to lead calls for any employee receiving a report of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, to contact his or her supervisor with that report. That changes today. The new policy statement will direct employees receiving such a report to contact law enforcement authorities without delay. Then, after acting in the interests of the child, they should contact their supervisor.”
This policy statement is common, I think. But it clearly turned out to be completely inadequate when faced with this problem. The university president was also dismissed. But we all know that football coaches are more important than the presidents of their universities. 🙂
Bennett,
I think you are unfortunately correct when you say that football coaches are more important than university presidents. Such seemed to be the case at Penn State. In 2004, the President and Athletic Director of the University asked Joe Paterno to resign. He said no and went about his life as JoPa. It wasn’t until late last night that the Board of Trustees finally exerted their legal and moral authority to remove Paterno from his job. As more facts come to light in the coming weeks and months, we will see a university that allowed a football coach to rule in a dictatorial fashion. If it were only football games at stake, then Paterno would still be coach. But, when it is the lives of young boys caught up in a culture that seemingly encouraged turning a blind eye, there’s no option but the summary dismissal of Paterno. Thanks and God bless,
Howell
“There are many who are shedding tears for a good man, one Joe Paterno. Not me. My tears are for the boys (nine and counting) who were brutally assaulted while good men — including Joe Paterno – did next to nothing. That’s why Coach Paterno had to go.”
Amen. Those boys (now young men) lives have been altered forever because of the selfishness and arrogance of a few men who valued position and celebrity over boys lives. Amazing how so many are willing to forget the victims in this mess. Yes, his arrogance on reporting when his retirement would take place was more than I could take.
In fact, I think there should be more punishment for not reporting this immediately and allowing the authorities to investigate. Perhaps a huge fine. So many are complicit..the grad student, his father, too. What is going on with people? Is celebrity and sports so important that we can sacrifice our young to sordid pleasures of the flesh?
Now we have an even bigger problem. A lot of ignorant college students care more for Joe’s career than victims of a predator. It is scary to contemplate.
I could kiss that trustee who announced there are more important things than football.
Lydia,
I love football, but it is not my religion. For so many at Penn State and other universities, football is their religion and the football coaches become like gods. Looking back, there is no question that Paterno seemed to operate as if he were above it all. Even his resignation statement dicating the terms that HE would leave was nothing more than arrogance masquerading as humility. In the end, the Board of Trustees took the only morally justifiable action that they could take — fire Joe Paterno. The students who rioted last night did neither JoPa or Penn State any favors. If anything, they have contributed even more to the sullying of the reputation of the University and the place known as Happy Valley. Thanks for the comments. God bless,
Howell
Howell,
Thanks for the great commentary on this issue. I agree that Paterno had to go, and maybe the school needs to drop out of play for the rest of the season to get their act together (I know…tough on the student players). I was shocked as the details came out, but have to admit I’m still pondering a few items. First, why is Sandusky still alive? I don’t mean this glibly…There’s a line that’s been crossed either for the victim, the witness, or those that heard firsthand about what happened. I’m not ‘casting stones’ as I’m not sure what I would have done as a 28-year old witness, but as a 44-year old father of sons my perspective has changed a little. Second, the recent movie “Courageous” pointed out that we as fathers need to “Call out the man in our sons,” so how and what do we teach our boys about protecting themselves, protecting others they see victimized, or probably the hardest: Telling their father or mother they were molested. Physical intervention and police contact seem the most appropriate, though potentially dangerous. Third, what’s the best way to handle reacting to (And following up on) gossip, especially if it’s untrue and malicious? Lastly, how do you help the victims of something like this…It wasn’t their fault. This scandal has brought a lot to consider, and I hope many of us learn from the mistakes of those involved…There’s always a better way to handle something with the gift of 20/20 hindsight. Thanks again for your blog.
Sam
Howell,
Great article on this story!
I want to coin a new term – paterno-lism. It is the hearing of lawlessness among your coaching staff and turning a blind eye, while assuring everyone that things are fine.
He could have gone out a hero instead of this way.
Ron,
I like the new term — “paterno-lism.” I think it fits. I believe that, when all is said and done, there will be much more to the story and what Paterno knew or should have known given the circumstances. To turn a blind eye to what a reasonable person could know is no defense. Hope you have a great week. God bless,
Howell
As usual, Howell, you hit the nail on the head. It does indeed seem that Paterno changed his demeanor in the years following the incident (travesty, horror, crime). I would posit that the change would come from either extreme guilt from covering the thing up. Collusion can eat at the soul, especially when it’s a crime against a child. The chicken hve come home to roost it seems.
Marty,
Thanks. Good to have you in worship yesterday. I think you have hit the nail on the head. I think that Paterno will be shown to have known more than he has let on. Silence, in this case, is no virture. Have a great week and God bless,
Howell
I commented at Jim Denison’s thoughts on this matter today at abpnews.com if anybody wants to check. I don’t have the wisdom of Solomon on this matter. A woman from Penn had strong reaction to one of Christa Brown’s comments not long ago, and I am not sure Mohler was as judgmental of the situation in Dallas with the noted SBC preacher as he was with Paterno.
On other matters it is interesting to note Pat Dye on an ESPN documentary last night about Bama and Auburn said there are no lilly white programs at the Upper levels of NCAA football. Any of you who want to explore that comment thoroughly should read Wayne Flynt’s new book Keeping the Faith, a book endorsed by To Kill a Mockingbird’s author Harper Lee herself; and Pulitzer winner Rick Bragg.
My problem with Mohler is though he has an easily googled column in recent Rome News Tribune about Shorter College and the Nelson Price led fundamentalist takeover there, he did not bring his notorious pr skills to bear on the recent personhood amendment in Mississippi; nor is there any indication he is familiar with the writings of Cynthia Gorney on the matter, nor with Barry Goldwater’s service to Planned Parenthood, nor the Jill Lepore piece in last week’s new Yorker and conversation Veteran’s Day on NPR’s Diane Rehm show.
So in my book Mohler continues to be overrated, carries none of the water Gorney or marilynne Robinson carries in these matters.
All that said, mixxing apples and oranges a little, intense but friendly conversation between Chip and the other fellow on ESPN take two this afternoon about the ongoing saga of Tim Tebow in the NFL.
Oh, a fellow above mentioned Fireproof’s Courageous. Light movie going as far as my book goes, but no harm for children. Adults including Al Mohler since he comments where a lot of adults go, should engage Vera Farmiga and Carolyn Briggs and the Movie Higher Ground.
Now that would be interesting indeed. Have Briggs and Rachel Held Evans on campus with Mohler and Russ Moore in panel discussion.
Let me know if that one takes traction
Stephen,
Hope you are doing well. I htink that this whole sordid episode is one that could have been avoided had good men not kept silent. Can you imagine if this type of cover-up would have happened in a large Baptist institution? The fall-out (rightfully so) would be massive. Have a great week and God bless,
Howell
If you click on my name with this post, should take you directly to Jim Denison’s piece on Paterno.
Here a man uses Scripture strongly; at same time universe apart are Mohler and Denison about what is proper for Baptist politic and administration.
So its not about Scripture
Pastor Howell,
It seems to me that Joe Paterno isn’t even the root problem here. Isn’t the root problem the sin of football idolatry? People all around the child abuse situation could have made the call to the police or the district attorney. But they didn’t for many years because, what seems to me, they were held captive to the football idol culture the exists, not only at Penn State, but I sense it is alive and strong at many other places like Norman, OK, Tuscaloosa, AL, and South Bend, IN.
I would love to hear a sermon that addresses this problem–the rabid, fanatacal idolatry of sports teams that grips our nation and causes people to overlook their moral duties to society if it might hurt the ‘team’. I don’t think we’ll really understand why all this Penn State mess came about until we get to the real root problem.
Tim,
I think you are exactly right about the root of the problem being idolatry — in this case football being the “god” for many people. Of course, coaches like Paterno often are tempted to allow themselves to become a part of the idolatry. Whether it’s football at Penn State or Florida or basketball at Kentucky or Duke, sports has inculcated a culture that promotes idolatry. With Penn State, the consequences of this idolatry have been magnified 100 fold because of the heinous crimes that were alleged to have been committed. In many ways, idolatry (which is always listed in the Bible’s “sin lists”) is the number one sin of most Americans, including many self-professed Christians within the church. No doubt there could be multiple sermons on this topic. Don’t be surprised if you hear one sooner rather than later 🙂 Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts. Have a good night and we’ll see you on Wednesday. God bless,
Howell
http://goingforlast.blogspot.com/2011/11/jerry-sandusky-and-grace.html