[NorCal]

From CBS News: "BREAKING: Joe" Paterno, the Penn State football coach who preached success with honor for half a century but whose legend was shattered by a child sex abuse scandal, was fired Wednesday night by the school's board of trustees. What's your opinion? Did the Penn State Board of Directors have any other choice than to immediately release this legendary Football Coach?

 

[dsjr70]

I dont know if I got this whole story or bits and pieces. First did he get fired or forced into early retirement (not that it really matters)? Also, did any other heads roll? From what I gathered he reported it to his supervisors and they failed to act. Is he just being the patsy? He was cleared by the police for any wrong doing since he did report it, like I said, I think I might be missing something here...

 

[bubba]

He had to go, I believe the AD and a VP were also let go.

 

[RoBrown]

I think they are having Jopa take the fall. In 2002 he was told of the activity. He reported it to univerisy officals, but not law enforcement. He is taking the heat for not reporting the former coach to the authorities. He did nothing legally wrong, but it is a question of was he morally wrong. The saddest part of this story is that Sandusky, the molester, was caught origianlly in the late 1990's. The incident in 2002 that is taking Paterno, the AD, the president of the college and others, was the second or third recorded incident with this douche. If he were arrested, like he should have been, in the late 90's several other kids would have been spared.

 

[Virgil_Hiltz]

There's sooooo much blame to go around....Joe Paterno, police, media..on and on and on. Everyone knew this was happening but decided to turn a blind eye to it. Here's an article about this back in April. http://www.timesonline.com/columnists/sports/mark_madden/madden-sandusky-a-state-secret/article_863d3c82-5e6f-11e0-9ae5-001a4bcf6878.html

 

[Bigfoot]

Joe had to go. The police should have been called, the end.

 

[davelau]

Feel for the poor kid(s). Sad day indeed.

 

[dsjr70]

I still dont get why JP is in trouble and got fired? I just did a bunch of research on Pennsylvania Law regarding illegal activities witnessed by teachers (which JP is really considered). It clearly states that if he actually witnessed the crime it has to be reported to his immediate supervisor AND the proper authorities or government agency and if it was something told to him by another teacher or student (hearsay) without proof it should be turned over to his/her immediate supervisor for further investigation... Isn't that what he did? Isn't that why the police are not charging him? Wouldnt this be considered wrongful termination? What I see is Penn State covering their collective ass's here... I am open minded though, if someone has a different story then what I have been hearing let me know but as of now he is just a patsy in my book...

 

[dsjr70]

Feel for the poor kid(s). Sad day indeed.

I agree with that.... 100%

 

[Virgil_Hiltz]

I still dont get why JP is in trouble and got fired?

IMHO...Joe knew what was happening and did report to the higher ups at the school. But he had to know that nothing was being done or investigated when the perp was still hanging around the school, showing young boys around, having young boys around him due to his trust. Joe turned a blind eye and shrugs his shoulders thinking "well...I did say something and nobody is doing anything so I won't either." It's his inaction knwing something wasn't being done! Paterno rushed the ball for 1 1/2 yards then gave up before getting the first down. IMHO...he's not the worse to blame here.....where were the cops or were they too afraid to take on the iconic school and football team?

 

[phoenix9]

Don, You are absolutely correct in your understanding of the situation and the law, and Virgil, I agree with your take on this situation, however I will add this: Joe Paterno is one of the most honorable and humble men to ever walk this earth. He has led an exemplary life, while mentoring countless numbers of young men to become some of our greatest leaders. He made a mistake, I give you this, but ANYONE who can produce a better resume on life than this man, please step up and condemn him. I am not a Penn State fan, I have never lived there, and I did not go to school there, but I know a lot about this man and I have personally worked alongside several of his former players in the business world. Joe Paterno is a first class individual and it is sad to see his career end this way.....yet he has handled this situation with absolute class, and for that I give him my respect.

 

[dsjr70]

I know this is going to make me sound like an ass because children are involved but the guy followed the law. He did what was expected of him, he had no proof other then hearsay and reported it as he should. The assistant coach retired over this (I assume). To be honest if I was running a program like Penn State or Miami who would have time to do their own witch hunt? If these alligations at the time were false he would have ruined a good persons future. It just sounded like a witch hunt for the wrong person when you do what you are supposed to and get fired. For you union guys out there, bypass your union stewart, right or wrong and see how it ends up. and for those who want to throw up morality and sports I have two words "Michael Vick".... or double standards and sports "Pete Rose"

 

[Virgil_Hiltz]

Joe Paterno is one of the most honorable and humble men to ever walk this earth. He has led an exemplary life, while mentoring countless numbers of young men to become some of our greatest leaders. He made a mistake, I give you this, but ANYONE who can produce a better resume on life than this man, please step up and condemn him. I am not a Penn State fan, I have never lived there, and I did not go to school there, but I know a lot about this man and I have personally worked alongside several of his former players in the business world. Joe Paterno is a first class individual and it is sad to see his career end this way.....yet he has handled this situation with absolute class, and for that I give him my respect.

^^From all accounts from what I've heard that is 100% accurate. Like I mentioned in my post above...Joe P. made a mistake by not following through but if the police and the authorities did their jobs, Joe P would be preparing the game plan for Saturdays game against Nebraska and his legacy would be intact. Instead...........

 

[Virgil_Hiltz]

I know this is going to make me sound like an a$$ because children are involved but the guy followed the law. He did what was expected of him, he had no proof other then hearsay and reported it as he should. The assistant coach retired over this (I assume). To be honest if I was running a program like Penn State or Miami who would have time to do their own witch hunt? If these alligations at the time were false he would have ruined a good persons future. It just sounded like a witch hunt for the wrong person when you do what you are supposed to and get fired. For you union guys out there, bypass your union stewart, right or wrong and see how it ends up. and for those who want to throw up morality and sports I have two words "Michael Vick".... or double standards and sports "Pete Rose"

but this is an institution that will drop a kid off the football team if he accepts a free bag of popcorn! When there is that type of standard for the players it's hard to argue about Joe P being fired. But like I noted before......why did the cops drop the ball in this????

 

[dsjr70]

but this is an institution that will drop a kid off the football team if he accepts a free bag of popcorn! When there is that type of standard for the players it's hard to argue about Joe P being fired. But like I noted before......why did the cops drop the ball in this????

All of them will drop a kid for taking free gifts..... Well except for Miami and Seminoles... But as far as dropping the ball, what about the President, Dean, ect... and what about the person that reported it to JP? I havent heard anything about him? Shouldnt the person that has first hand knowledge have the most resposibility? From all accounts all I can see is that he got a rumor and passed it on. If there werent children involved I wonder how many people would think what he did was wrong.

 

[jdeleu01]

I think this situation should be used as a teaching moment for all of us still in the workforce. It seems to me that people become less diligent in their duties as they get closer to retirement. I've seen many who have fizzled at the end after, otherwise, stellar careers.

 

[Bigfoot]

But as far as dropping the ball, what about the President, Dean, ect... and what about the person that reported it to JP? I havent heard anything about him? Shouldnt the person that has first hand knowledge have the most resposibility? From all accounts all I can see is that he got a rumor and passed it on. If there werent children involved I wonder how many people would think what he did was wrong.

Don, this whole thing is 100% about the fact that innocent prepubescent children were involved. It would make zero difference if the child was a little girl. Homosexuality is not what is illegal, it's the rape of a child. Sexual predators are in it for the power. I believe that the Dean of the school also was fired. It's way too early to form an opinion as to who should be fired and whether the team should even finish the season. I believe more heads will roll. The biggest problem that has been exposed is that the football program was deemed more valuable to Penn State than protecting visiting children. I was a jock, and my coaches NEVER showered with us. They had their own shower in the head coaches office. This guy was showering with these small children which should have been a HUGE red flag to anyone in the locker room.

 

[dsjr70]

Don, this whole thing is 100% about the fact that innocent prepubescent children were involved. It would make zero difference if the child was a little girl. Homosexuality is not what is illegal, it's the rape of a child. Sexual predators are in it for the power. I believe that the Dean of the school also was fired. It's way too early to form an opinion as to who should be fired and whether the team should even finish the season. I believe more heads will roll. The biggest problem that has been exposed is that the football program was deemed more valuable to Penn State than protecting visiting children. I was a jock, and my coaches NEVER showered with us. They had their own shower in the head coaches office. This guy was showering with these small children which should have been a HUGE red flag to anyone in the locker room.

So with that said, why is the assistant coach that caught him in the act still there? Why doesnt he have an obligation?

 

[phoenix9]

So with that said, why is the assistant coach that caught him in the act still there? Why doesnt he have an obligation?

and that sound you hear is......crickets.....

 

[PrometheusVII]

Joe is now in contact with a Heavy-Hitting lawyer and if he is found to have followed the letter and intent of the law (as I believe he will), he will probably win a wrongful termination anr/or deformation of character suit resulting in more $$ from the college and in Joe's pocket. He is not an investigator and did not witness the act. As heresay he was obligated to report it up, as he did, NOT Report it to the Police, NOT Conduct his own investigation, and Not to follow up on the issue as the burden had been transfered up the chain. As to why Joe had no issue when the alleged (at the time) perpetrator was still coaching at the time, one could surmise that if Joe's superiors had conducted an investigation and he (the acused) was acquitted, well he would be expected to continue working. Being the honorable man he is and has always been, I see Joe commissioning another library or something for the students he so loves.