Penn State Sex Scandal: Why Joe Pa Deserves Better Treatment from Media

Penn State head coach Joe Paterno is going to hold his weekly press conference on Tuesday, but he will not discuss the one thing that everyone wants to talk about—Jerry Sandusky and the sex scandal that has rocked the University down to its very core. 

There have been many things said and written about everyone associated with the school over the last 36 hours, including Paterno. 

Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer even wrote that this incident could be the straw that breaks Paterno's back and forces him out as head coach of Penn State's football team. 

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The 84-year-old Penn State head coach, whose eventual retirement is the subject of annual speculation, will no longer be the one making that decision.

Paterno cannot and should not survive the mess that has engulfed his football program and cast doubt on the ethical underpinnings of a university administration that has always claimed higher moral ground than other schools.

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That is harsh criticism for a coach who has been absolved any legal wrongdoing in this whole matter. There are moral questions and doubts about how much he knew compared to what he said, but until we learn the truth, we should give him some slack. 

In a statement released on Monday, Paterno said that he did everything that he was supposed to do given the information that he had. 

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"If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters," Paterno said. "While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved I can't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred."

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Considering how well the Penn State program has been run under Paterno and his sterling reputation within the sport, don't you think he should be given the benefit of the doubt?

Not everyone knows everything that goes on behind closed doors. We have no way of knowing what the graduate assistant who informed Paterno of Sandusky's transgressions saw exactly or what he told those involved. 

By all accounts, Paterno has nothing to do with the investigation because he did the right thing considering the information that he had. 

Paterno is one of the most respected, admired and beloved figures in all of North American sports, so those calling for his head should wait to see how this whole thing plays out before calling for the 84-year-old to leave his job.