Reflections on Joe Paterno's Tarnished Legacy

            

            The pedophile scandal at Penn State University continues, even after the indictment of Jerry Sandusky and the death of Coach Joe Paterno. The notorious case of sexual child abuse continues to rock “Happy Valley” because of a colossal cover up. Allegations are flying, centered on former university officials Graham Spanier, Tim Curley, Gary Shultz, along with Joe Paterno. It is alleged that these men allowed Sandusky to prey on these boys for some 14 years without confronting the problem. In fact, the university’s trustees have hired former FBI Director Louis Freeh to investigate the situation.

            After Freeh and his team interviewed more than 430 people, and examined more than 3.5 million emails and other hand-written documents, he called the administrators’ behavior “callous and shocking.” He went on to say: “Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky’s child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State.”

            The issue is complicated by the alleged involvement of the revered, Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. This was the man who emphasized integrity both on and off the field, running what was considered one of the “cleanest programs in sports.” Then he died in January of lung cancer at 85, just months after he was fired by the trustees. His testimony before a grand jury revealed his sorrow for making some critical mistakes during his tenure. But a live, personal examination by the court is now impossible. One can only surmise the heaviness of “Joe Pa’s” heart in his last days.

            According to Freeh’s report, the school officials had several opportunities to step in and take action, but chose to “keep quiet.” They repeatedly concealed critical facts regarding Sandusky from the board of trustees, the college community, and the public at large. To make it worse, when the trustees did learn of it, they failed to take oversight and didn’t delve deeply into the matter.

            Some of the most damaging evidence against Coach Paterno consists of written notes and emails, indicating a decision to allow Sandusky to continue using campus facility when there was real question about his (Sandusky’s) behavior. The approach, in agreement with the other officials, was to report Jerry to the department of welfare, rather than the criminal authorities. They were evidently making it a “mental” problem, rather than a crime. That was a subtle way of justifying the sexual predator’s behavior, while saving the school’s reputation. Failing to face this problem head on has become a crime in its own right.

            When criminal action is relegated to mental disorder, the cause of justice is diminished. We must take responsibility for our actions, not excusing wickedness as an “emotional problem.” Right is right, and wrong is wrong. These college officials needed to take a firm hand in “blowing the whistle” on this child rapist. Instead there was a conspiracy to conceal and cover up the criminal acts in order to save face as a university. This resulted, among other things, in a blatant disregard for the welfare of molested children.     

            The latest Freeh report in my hand reads: “Joe Paterno exposed as Penn State’s Cowardly Lion.” How sad, when we consider Paterno’s pristine reputation. His failure to be forthright and honest in dealing with a deviate monster was cowardly indeed. All of his professional accomplishments, whether on or off the football field, are gravely tarnished by this horrendous scandal.                 

            As I reflected upon this heartbreaking situation, I thought of how devastating and far reaching were the perverted actions of one man---now in prison. Solomon said, “One sinner destroyeth much good.” It’s like the whole concept of Penn State has been altered by one man who was allowed to commit unlawful acts under the shadow of a stately institution. What a travesty!

            But to cover up the crimes and the criminal, is also criminal and inexcusable.  Joe Paterno could have confronted Sandusky and possibly rescued abused boys, salvaged Jerry’s life, and the school’s reputation. Paterno’s high position would warrant such action, bringing justice to bear on all concerned.

            This story also illustrates that no one sins to himself; others are always involved and affected. Sandusky’s wickedness not only damaged his reputation, but destroyed something vital in each of his prey; already-troubled boys were taken advantage of by a man posing as a protector and role model. This scenario parallels so closely the recent scandal regarding the priest predators in the Catholic Church. In both situations, there were those who were savvy to the crimes, and did nothing to prosecute the offenders.

            We have before us an example of the two sides of sin and lawlessness: Acts of commission and omission. Sandusky committed the atrocities, but Paterno and company covered up the deeds. The former did what was wrong, while the others failed to do what was right. In no way does this minimize Sandusky’s perverted deeds, but that doesn’t excuse those in authority who failed to take a stand in exposing and stopping the fiasco.

            On a personal level, all of us tend to cover up our mistakes and sins. What we see externally is never what we really get. Someone has said, “Reputation is what men think we are, but character is what God knows us to be.” If we’re honest, all of us have a dark side. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” This is why Christ came to die for sinners, so that those who trust in Him would become “a new creation.” No matter how popular or revered, men are just men, flawed by the power of evil!

            Just as the cover up at Penn State exacerbated and prolonged to problem, so our personal “cover up” only intensifies our sin. Solomon says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

            It’s easy to “throw stones” at sinners in the public eye; yet each of us has to come to grips with our own sinful condition. We shall all have an appointment with God one day, giving account of every word and deed. He will bring to light all the things that we’ve concealed; but if we “come clean” with Him, uncovering our sin through confession of Christ, we will find mercy and God’s “covering” in that Day! This is truly amazing grace!