Penn State Football: Nittany Lions Will Continue to Divide Nation in 2012

Did you cheer to some degree when you saw that Ohio had defeated Penn State 24-14 at Beaver Stadium to open the season?

Did you put your head in your hands (so to speak), and mutter something along the lines of: "Here we go, it's going to be a long year."

These two contrasting reactions to the latest happening in the world of Penn State football are a microcosm of the nation's feelings. Because of the horrible actions of Jerry Sandusky and the neglect of those in charge at Penn State, the football program is a lightning rod for debate.

Many will never forgive the actions of those in charge of the program and their disdain has spilled over to their feelings for this year's team, and likely beyond.

Penn State Nation has banded together—even tighter than before—in an effort to show unity and support for the program in this embattled time period.

A Big Ten team just lost at home to the Ohio Bobcats; from a football standpoint, that is a big deal.

But Penn State is far from the normal Big Ten program these days. Expectations, attention and perception have all been turned upside down and inside out.

Though the Nittany Lions are a Big Ten team, was this really a huge upset? Considering all the program is dealing with (transfers, negative attention, distractions, etc), is it in any position to compete on a high level?

I must admit, my reaction was along the lines of the initial statement. But I caught myself before I went into full celebration mode. The players are the ones that went out on the field, gave effort and lost.

I've never had beef with them.

In my secondary thoughts, I feel the same type of emotion towards them as I do for any other team that loses a game.

I'd say: "Tough luck, fellas. Good effort."

The part of me that wants to celebrate is angry with the administration that didn't convince me they know the error of their ways, and the blind supporters that still put "the program" before the moral responsibility.

There is a saying that says the sins of the parents fall upon the children. I think the Penn State situation is a perfect example of that. 

It sucks when children have to suffer because of the negligence of their parents, or when any group that depends on a hierarchy has to suffer because those above them come up short of their responsibilities.

But there are consequences to every action, and part of that is what can affect those beneath us.

In this situation the players are the children, and the administration were in a parental role. They failed their children by not looking out for the welfare of children.

It's hard not to brand this program with a negative connotation going forward.

Schools like Miami (Fla.) deal with a negative stigma because of issues in the past that pale in comparison to Penn State's transgressions.

I work to remove generalizations from most things I care about—even sports.

In time, that'll help me soften my view of Penn State. But I certainly can't speak for others who may have already decided to hate them for eternity.

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