Penn State Scandal: My Personal Thoughts About the Horrible Events

I'm sure that by now, everyone has heard about the Penn State scandal. Many have weighed in with different opinions as to how something like this could happen in a highly respected community.  Its football program was run with an iron fist by former head coach Joe Paterno. 

He was known as a coach who kept all information on his players close to the vest and was highly praised throughout the college football world.  Now the Nittany Lions are taking the field without their leader for the first time in over 40 years. 

That's longer than I have been walking this earth. Although it is tough to believe, I felt that he should have remained the coach for at least the Nebraska game.

Wait, before you read me the riot act, read a little further please. Joe Paterno was the face of Penn State football for over 40 years. Some years were good and others were bad but none were worse than this situation with Jerry Sandusky and the despicable acts alleged in the grand jury transcripts detailing sexual molestation. 

I wanted Paterno out in front, responsible for answering questions as to why he didn't do more to protect the innocent. Why did he choose to basically give Sandusky free reign to do what he wanted, when he wanted, and how he wanted? 

I feel no need to add any details, because they sicken me but I wanted Paterno to have that same sick feeling that I and all of you feel, because the guilt will punish him more than firing him. Firing Paterno spares him from the disdain the public has for him; it sends a bad message, to let him walk away from a firestorm that will only get bigger. 

It makes no sense to me, but what does in this scandal?

As for Mike McQueary, there must have been a lot of pressure to keep that secret. It's tough and, quite honestly, many would perhaps respond the same way that he did. You're afraid, you go and defer to the higher-ups and to someone whom you trust. 

He trusted Paterno. McQueary put the onus on the face of Penn State to solve a problem that he may have been incapable of solving. Why didn't he help the kid escape? That's something he may not be able to answer right now, which is more of a reason to have Paterno face questions. 

I am not sure what else he should or could have done, but the buck should not have stopped there.   What I do know is this: To hear stories from those who were sexually abused in my family is heartbreaking, and it angers me because most of it was done by fellow members of the family.

What do you do when it's happening and you are made aware of it? You STOP IT!

These young men thought they were safe but instead they were let down by someone who could have been stopped once caught.  No one knows how many victims there are but think about how many fewer the number of victims could have been if for one moment Mike McQueary had put the onus on himself and acted appropriately. 

Anything!  Even just by walking into the room. Just like I did about 15 years ago when I walked into my house and the sound of my voice prevented something as horrible as this from happening.  Something that I had no knowledge of until I was headed home after a few months ago. 

Something that pains me today, but I face it. I dealt with it and I am proud that I saved a potential victim of sexual abuse and the fact that I am related to the accused would not change my actions. My actions to save another victim are the kinds of things that should have gone through their minds as soon as they became aware. 

They could have done more. Joe Paterno's and Mike McQueary's minimal actions served as a bridge that allowed those horrible alleged acts to continue.  Who’s responsible for that?