Jerry Sandusky Sex Scandal: Twitter Reacts to Joe Paterno and Penn State Mess

The Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal has the world in a blind fit of rage. Joe Paterno's legacy has gone up in flames and the New York Times reports that Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions are parting ways.

It's the worst possible end to Paterno's unparalleled legacy, but one that many argue he deserves for his laissez-faire approach to the Sandusky situation.

Paterno has become a polarizing figure out of nowhere and the squeaky clean image now has an irremovable black eye.

Naturally, many took to Twitter to voice their opinions on the biggest scandal in College Football history.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 5:41 p.m. ET

Talk about unlucky. This guy now has the worst name in sports. Gerry Sandusky (not to be confused with Jerry Sandusky) is a sportscaster and radio personality for the Ravens, not an alleged child molester. 

It's good to see he's got a sense of humor. This Tweet was about some nicknames being kicked around to disassociate himself with his now tarnished name.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 5:26 p.m. ET

Comcast Sports Net's Ray Ratto points out how avoidable this scandal was, suggesting that even one act of courage from one of the people who knew could have prevented it from continuing. 

As is customary of Tweets regarding this nature, an angry tweeter replied, calling for the burning of "EVERYONE" at Penn State.

There needs to be a distinction between "EVERYONE!" and those responsible, as Ratto points out. Rather than acting like an angry mob and wanting to see everyone even remotely involved with the program go down in flames, it's important to hear all the facts, which those whose job it is to gather those facts are still in the process of doing.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 5:07 p.m. ET

Everyone is handling this situation poorly. Penn State isn't giving Joe Paterno a chance to speak and the silence from the Big Ten makes it impossible for people not to jump to conclusions.

Everyone wants answers. Nobody expects high-ranking officials to be transparent on the matter, but just because it's an ongoing investigation shouldn't mean that everyone is completely left in the dark.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 5:03 p.m. ET

Urban Meyer was a potential suitor for the head coaching job at Penn State once Paterno decided to retire. Matt McCoy points out that oddly enough, he's calling the game vs. Nebraska on Saturday.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:52 p.m. ET

Sandusky is under fire, as are Mike McQueary and Joe Paterno, but what about university president Graham Spanier? If people suggest Paterno is responsible for all of the occurrences in his football program, shouldn't Spanier be held accountable for all that happens within the walls of his school?

Nate Bauer says a source told BWI publisher Phil Grosz that the board of trustees will meet tomorrow morning to discuss Spanier's standing with the university. He won't be getting a free pass, and if the BOT decides to clean house, he will almost have to be one of the occupational casualties of this scandal.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:42 p.m. ET

Many people are critical of the justice system. Others suggest we need to give those involved a fair trial. Marlon Wayans would like to take matters into his own hands.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:38 p.m. ET

Nobody knows what is going to come of the Penn State scandal. The debacle has prompted some online sports books to remove the odds from their site entirely, according to Darren Rovell.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:27 p.m. ET

Jerry Sandusky has an autobiography that bears the highly ironic and disturbing title, "Touched". It's one of those things that is too twisted to be true isn't it?

Unfortunately Brent Grimes, it is real.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:21 p.m. ET

Some Penn State students are gathering for a candlelight vigil for the abused victims. Some associated with the school are trying to distance themselves from the school. Many are overlooking the victims entirely.

It's good to see some associated with the school taking a step like this to acknowledge those affected by Sandusky's actions.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:10 p.m. ET

College basketball icon Dick Vitale believes Penn State should let Paterno answer questions. The masses want to know, the media has questions and it would give Paterno an opportunity to tell his side of the story.

The silence is forcing everyone to make their own assumptions. Vitale could be onto something.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 4:01 p.m. ET

According to a Penn State Alumni poll, 52% of people want Joe Paterno out now. It's a minor margin, but if this poll had been conducted prior to the scandal, an overwhelming majority of people would have voted in favor of keeping Paterno around, at least for the time being.

It speaks to how quickly Paterno's reputation has been dismantled.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 3:51 p.m. ET

Mike Mcqueary is the grad student who allegedly saw Sandusky in the act. Many are wondering why he didn't intervene. Why didn't he stop it? Why didn't he do more?

Matt Millen sheds some light.

Update: Monday, November 8th at 3:45 p.m. ET

Paterno's son says that not only has Paterno not been asked to resign, he's planning on coaching for a "long time". Even before this scandal broke, it seemed as though Paterno was going to hang it up after this season.

How long is a long time, and where does Paterno plan on coaching?

Update: Monday, November 8th at 3:38 p.m. ET

A ninth victim coming forward in this case points to just how little we know about how widespread this case actually is. Are there other victims out there, and if so, how many?

Update: Monday, November 8th at 3:32 p.m. ET

Jennifer Rubin, who writes the Right Turn blog for the Washington Post suggests that Penn State's football program should be removed permanently, in an article posted via HuskersGameday.

SMU suffered the death penalty for recruiting violations and paying players to play. Is Penn State seeing the same fate really that far fetched?

The stories of the victims and their families being released are sickening. Here is an excerpt of one of the Sandusky's victim's mothers, found in a story that Sara Ganim reported.

"

“Jerry Sandusky admitted to my face, he admitted it. He admitted that he lathered up my son they were naked and he bear-hugged him. If they would have done something about it in 1998, and then again in 2002 — there was two chances they dropped the ball and I think they should all be held accountable.”

"

That's perhaps what's most angering about the story. Steps seemingly could have been taken long ago to prevent the molestation of even more innocent children.

Ben Jones of StateCollege.com points out that Paterno didn't duck out of his press conference, and that he himself was not responsible for the cancellation. It's a fact many are ignoring, especially those suggesting the cancellation is some sort of admission of guilt on Paterno's part.

Paterno may not directly be involved with discussions about being let go, according to Scott Paterno, but the writing is on the wall. Realistically, can the university really have him on their sideline, representing their now tarnished brand.

After all, it was Paterno's laissez-faire approach to this scandal that has many up in arms. Penn State putting that same head in the sand approach on display wouldn't sit well with many.

Ben Jones, Penn State reporter for StateCollege.com says we will indeed have a Paterno press conference within the next 24 hours.

It seems as though the cancellation of the press conference was more of a postponement. Could this be a Paterno farewell address?

Pete Thamel of the New York Times reports that Joe Pa's reign as head coach of the Penn State is coming to a close.

This news doesn't come as too big of a shock, but the fact that Paterno may not be able to finish out the season and that his time at Penn State will some to a close in this manner is astonishing.

While many people want to believe Paterno didn't completely abandon his moral obligation to the children being affected, it's difficult to do so. Regardless of what happens in court, Paterno will forever have critics.

Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples writes an article demanding that Paterno be ousted from the program immediately.

Then again, there are some in the football world who aren't ready to crucify anyone who has anything to do with Penn Sate football.

Those who aren't completely anti-Paterno are being seen in a negative light by many. Here is a mini Twitter battle between Penn State legend LaVar Arrington and an angry follower, who does a complete 180 when Arrington responds to her.

Matt Millen, another Penn State alum lost it on ESPN today. He held it together for some time, but it became clear that the rage and sadness he felt for the victims overwhelmed him. The actions of those involved with his former school brought him to tears. Deadspin.com has the video.

Reports are leaking that the New York Times' report of Paterno's departure being imminent are premature.

Joe Paterno's son, Scott Paterno insists that there are not discussions about retirement.

Ron Musselman, who covers Penn State for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that even players have indicated they have not heard of an exit plan for Paterno.

Either it is air tight, or non-existent.

Paterno's press conference falling through has the media starving for info. They aren't going to get it from Joe's son Jay, who left the residence without commenting, according to Jake Kaplan.

Fox 29 in Philly indicates that there is a solid chance that Paterno will be on the sideline for the game against Nebraska on Saturday. Some reports are sayinghe's on his way out, but Paterno's son Scott remains optimistic amid the chaos.

Penn State correspondent Audrey Snyder describes the Penn State players as being "in the dark". It appears that even those in the building are just as lost with what is actually happening with Paterno and Penn State as we are.

Stephen Obeng-Agyapong remains focused on the goals the team set before this scandal came to light. While the allegations are heinous and clearly there are bigger issues at Penn State than winning the Big Ten, the players have a game to play and a conference championship in their grasp.

Getting caught up in the mess that Sandusky created would be unfair to themselves and the fans who have witnessed the great season they've put forth thus far.

Pete Thamel indicates that there will not be a press conference outside the school, but he will be at practice today.

It will be interesting to see how the players respond. It's got to be hard for the players and coaches alike to focus on Nebraska and set the scandal aside temporarily. Penn State is a media circus and the effects of the scandal are impossible to ignore.

Eric Lattimore has the right attitude. We've established that the players don't know anything about what is happening with the scandal. The players are being hammered with questions and distractions are rampant, but remaining focused on the task at hand is essential.

Wide receiver Derek Moye assures the public that the team is obviously not happy with the sex scandal. The players are not immune to the strong feelings being felt by the general public, but they have a job to do and lives to live.

Unity is essential here. It's a polarizing topic and division within the locker room is the last thing Penn State needs.

It's not just the football team and coaches that are shaken by this scandal. University alumni and Penn State fans are outraged.

A picture is worth 1,000 words, and this Penn State grad burning his diploma demonstrates just how angered people involved with the school are.

According to The Daily Collegian, the Penn State grad is David Baran, class of 1975. His desire to distance himself from the university is likely shared by thousands who were once proud to be products of Penn State.

Here is an excerpt from Growing Up Penn State, a must-read piece by Michael Weinberg on Grandtland.com.

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I have two close friends, a husband and wife, both alums, who moved to State College from New York City a few years ago. They did this because they couldn't afford to raise children in Manhattan, but they also did it because he couldn't imagine a safer place to raise their kids than a little town in a valley situated three hours from everywhere. I don't know what it feels like to grow up there now. I want these things to disappear from my consciousness, but they won't. The place where I grew up is gone, and it's not coming back.

"

The Penn State community is hurting. Everything the world thought we knew about Penn State seems like a facade at this point. Their squeaky-clean image, Paterno's inability to do anything wrong and the entire image seems to be a lie at this point.

Weinberg doesn't just provide one take on the situation at hand, he speaks for the masses.

Stay tuned for more twitter interaction being updated throughout the day.