Penn State Scandal: Will Paterno's Historic Legacy Forever Be Disgraced?

The floodlights pour down on the 106,572 fans that are packed in Beaver Stadium. The white-out consumes the green, green grass of the football field. The student section stands as one body, strong and immovable. The Happy Valley. The legend himself slowly jogs onto the field with his 46th team of players. Beaver Stadium lifts and roars in praise of the Coach.

Their Coach. Joe Paterno. 

For more than 61 years, the man known as JoePa has been an essential piece to Penn State's history. He is the winningest head coach in college football history. 409 career wins, 24 bowl game victories and two National Championships.

And now, he is at the center of college football's biggest scandal. It was only a few days ago that news officially broke on former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, who is being charged with child molestation on 40 different accounts, with eight key victims. According to the report, Joe Paterno had known of these alleged actions by at least 1998.

However, it wasn't until 2002 that wide receiver coach Mike McQueary, who was a graduate assistant at the time, brought his concern to the head coach. Sandusky had retired in 1999 but still played a key role in Penn State football, holding an emeritus status with the program. McQueary had entered the locker room at the Lasch Football Building where he supposedly witnessed Sandusky subjecting one of his eight victims to anal intercourse. He reported what he had seen to Paterno and the head coach followed up by relaying this information to then Athlectic Director Tim Curry.

No police reports were ever filed. Sandusky's keys were taken away. That's about it.

Sadly, the coach is taking the brunt of the university's actions. He was relieved of his duties this past Wednesday and made one final speech to his football players. The main message—beat Nebraska. 

Since Paterno's dismissal, Happy Valley has rioted into "Not So Happy Valley." These students love their head coach and are a making a mess of it. TeamPaterno, a name that students have adorned for their support group, has become a voice of anger and disappointment.

Head coach Joe Paterno has been an example of honor and sportsmanship throughout his career. He has led four unbeaten teams, won all four major BCS bowls and didn't let the proper authorities know of what went on in his locker room. Will JoePa's work and history be overshadowed by his lone mistake?

For now...yes.

This mistake is a big one. It isn't a badly drawn up play or a series of three-and-outs. It is the lack of action in a series of unfortunate events. An ugly one that's for sure.

JoePa now understands what he did, or what he didn't do. But he still stands strong in Happy Valley.

"

"I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today."

"

His incredible career will forever leave a historic mark on college football. But it is a shame it had to end this way.

One thing is for certain though. Happy Valley will forever remain Paternoville.