Rewriting a Legacy

There is a special place in hell for people who abuse children. And if former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is convicted or eventually pleads guilty to any of the crimes of which he is accused, I have faith that he will be adequately punished. As for Sandusky's friend and former boss, please spare us the concern over Joe Paterno's legacy. He's done this to himself.

He chose loyalty to a friend, and to his beloved football program over the safety of children. For that, he is a disgrace. For that, he deserves for the scandal now rocking Penn State University and its football program to be his legacy. Not his record number of wins. Not his two national championships. Not the so-called "clean program" he's run for the better part of a half century

When helpless, innocent, abused children needed "Joe Pa" he turned tail and ran behind university officials. Procedure. For that, he doesn't deserve to be called "Joe Pa" anymore. "Pa" is what some people call their dads. And dads are supposed to love and protect children at all costs, at the expense of themselves.

What parent in their right mind wouldn't have gone to the authorities themselves when they heard of this news? But Joe wasn't in his right mind. He was blinded. He was looking out for The Program at the expense of children. This is what happens when we canonize football coaches and other sports and political figures. When we put them on pedestals and hold them in such high regard. We think they are above reproach. We think something like this is unimaginable. And it is. That's what makes it so horrific. So tragic.

Shame on him. After learning of an alleged sexual attack in the Penn State football facility, Paterno didn't call police. He called university officials. He washed his hands of the matter. That was almost a decade ago. Wouldn't someone who gave a damn ask a follow up, "Hey, whatever happened to that thing I told you about with that guy?"

And shame on the fans who seem to care more about a football team who has a big game on Saturday and were chanting "Let Joe Stay" during what amounted to a bizarre, disturbing and very misguided pep rally outside of his house last night. This is about so much more than the emblem on your cap.

There is not a parent who is even remotely aware of this story who is not sick about it. It cuts you to your core, steals your sense of security, erodes your confidence in the system. The next time someone - anyone - comes into a home to recruit your child to play a sport at a school, how could it not make you think? That if something so awful could happen at this place with this icon in charge, it could happen anywhere.

Especially when it turns out that icon betrayed the trust of parents and showed such blatant disregard for the safety of children.

Eventually, the hysteria will die down. All of the facts will come out. One way or another, justice will be served. But for now, doubt, disgust, and fear exist in something that was once a source of pride, tradition, and joy.

And THAT will be Joe Paterno's legacy.