Joe Paterno, former Penn State football coach, died this weekend from complications with lung cancer two months after announcing he was sick.
In the final eight weeks of his life, Paterno’s legacy was tarnished by his role in the Penn State scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who allegedly molested children, at least one of whom Paterno reportedly knew about in 2002.
In November, the university fired Paterno after a 62-year coaching career amid the fallout of the allegations against Sandusky. The media and fans accused Paterno of not doing enough when he allegedly learned in 2002 of at least one incident involving Sandusky molesting a boy in a Penn State shower. Paterno acted by reporting the news to Penn State officials, but Paterno allowed Sandusky to maintain an office in the football building for several more years despite the allegations, according to reports.
It’s questionable, if Paterno did know what may have been going on, that he did enough to stop the alleged abuse. What is not questionable, however, is what Paterno did for college football for 62 years at Penn State.
A person’s legacy must be judged on all events throughout the course of their life ”“ not just the final few months. Judging him must be done by looking at a complete picture and measuring the whole of the person, not just by picking out tarnished pieces.
The scandal should fairly be part of the overall equation when judging Paterno. To not do so would be naive, but when measuring that to his entire life, Paterno’s legacy should be one of a person with great work ethic and a venerable teacher, but also as a man who had flaws.
Paul “Bear” Bryant is considered to be the measuring stick to which college football coaches are judged. He was the Alabama coach who built one of the greatest college football traditions of all time.
Weeks after winning his final game, Bryant died. His legacy was never questioned.
Joe Paterno eclipsed Bryant as the coach with the most wins in Division I college football history with 409 wins. The university fired him in November, and two months later he died.
What he did for that university and the hundreds of men who played for him should never be overshadowed by one mistake. Granted the mistake was grave, but to err is human.
Until November, it was never a question as to where Paterno would end up among his peers: At the top was always the answer.
That should still be the answer.
A little more than a week ago, Paterno admitted to the media that he should have done more and regretted that he didn’t. Why didn’t he do more? That’s a fair question. Could it be that he cared more about winning? Perhaps, but, we are not mind readers and should not jump to judgment.
Look at the young men whom he impacted so positively throughout his life. Hundreds have said that Paterno made them the men they are today. They say that they learned to be good football players, but more importantly to become great people through Paterno’s teaching. He was like a father to them, and he gave them a head start to life through his lessons.
Penn State fans’ emotions have run the gamut since fall with the news of the Sandusky case to Paterno’s firing to his quick death. When the dust settles and those emotions stabilize history should judge Paterno’s legacy in a positive light.
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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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