by Michael Natelli ’14 

Before, Joe Paterno (left) was running out of the tunnel. Now he’s running from it.

After 46 years, you think you know a guy…

On Wednesday night, legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was officially relieved of his duties due to allegations that he did not report knowledge of sexual abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Gone soon enough? Probably not. Legacy tarnished? Most definitely.

The sad part about this whole controversy is that Penn State officials have yet to issue any legitimately sincere apologies. That alone is as much of a shame as all that has occurred over the past week or so.

“I grieve for the victims, I grieve for the families,” said replacement coach Tom Bradley. That’s all? Really? How about, “These allegations have covered this institution in shame from head to toe. Although I personally was not involved in any of this, I am ashamed to even be associated with such allegations, and will do everything in my power to show that this does not reflect our football team or our institution as a whole. I think that getting through this will make us closer and stronger.” None of that.

Bradley is not used to being in the spotlight. But come on, show the world that you care. Bradley went on to say, “Paterno has meant more to me than anyone in my life besides my father.” Although (as far as we know) he was not involved, Bradley has essentially thrown himself into the fire by associating himself so closely with Paterno. Naturally there is a bond between coaches and assistants, but save it for the players.

Paterno was one of the most likeable guys in the history of the game. I get that. He was a mentor on and off the field, and players and fans alike are upset to see him go. However, right now, Bradley must focus on getting out the message that he represents change, not more of the same. He must differentiate himself, and show them that he is the kind of guy who will personally make sure that something like this never happens again.

Following Paterno’s removal, about 2000 students filled the streets to voice their discontent, rioting and hanging toilet paper from trees.
After all the sexual abuse allegations became public, Paterno should have resigned immediately. His staying proved that he cared more about winning two or three more football games than he did about the university as a whole or about the victims of the scandal.  Yahoo! Columnist Zac Wassink (a Penn State alum) sums up the misplaced fanaticism of the Penn State nation. He wrote, “It was, and still is for some, absolutely impossible that our Joe Paterno, the Joe Pa beloved for generations, was capable of doing anything other than the right thing regarding anything resembling the Jerry Sandusky case.”

Wassink makes a valid point; it is hard to imagine a sweet looking, 84-year-old man being involved in such a scandal. But, these fans must understand that it is reality; that the world can be a dark, sad place. Even in Happy Valley.