Joe Paterno dies...

[Lord Blackadder]

To the sports community, they'll recognize the terrible chapter in JoePa's extensive life story, but take into consideration the whole story - not just a single chapter.

Except that the sports community is just as quarrelsome as everyone else. There are plenty of knowledgeable college football fans that attribute his legendary status primarily to mere longevity, which is itself remarkable, rather than to exceptional coaching abilities on the field. He was a very good coach who had an exceptionally long career. Also, like any controversial sports figure (Barry Bonds or Pete Rose for example), Joe Paterno's story cannot be told without referencing the scandals that brought Paterno down and the subsequent fatal decline of his health.

 

[malman89]

Except that the sports community is just as quarrelsome as everyone else. There are plenty of knowledgeable college football fans that attribute his legendary status primarily to mere longevity, which is itself remarkable, rather than to exceptional coaching abilities on the field. He was a very good coach who had an exceptionally long career. Also, like any controversial sports figure (Barry Bonds or Pete Rose for example), Joe Paterno's story cannot be told without referencing the scandals that brought Paterno down and the subsequent fatal decline of his health.

Sure, but that's a different debate that doesn't reflect on his character (re: longevity vs. ability).

The difference between JoePa and Barry Bonds/Pete Rose is that JoePa was a lovable figure for Penn State football and the university. The only real gripe against him perhaps was the longevity thing. Barry Bonds and Pete Rose were disliked in general (except by their own fans probably) even without the scandals.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Sure, but that's a different debate that doesn't reflect on his character (re: longevity vs. ability).

The difference between JoePa and Barry Bonds/Pete Rose is that JoePa was a lovable figure for Penn State football and the university. The only real gripe against him perhaps was the longevity thing. Barry Bonds and Pete Rose were disliked in general (except by their own fans probably) even without the scandals.

There are plenty of fans that would disagree with you - my point is, sports fans argue about everything endlessly. Look at Ray Lewis. I'd get banned if I said what I think of him - and yet there are plenty of sports writers who continue to marvel at him as an athlete, ignoring the real-life scandals. Sometimes sports fans and writers are such ostriches - and I admit we hate it when real life intrudes into the game, but real life is real life. It's more important than any game. Period. Moreover, the Sandusky scandal is impossible to separate from either his personal or professional life because it was a personal failure of judgment that affected his program, on his watch. You can only seperate the two to a limited extent.

Now, if you are just talking football tactics or purely sporting matters, the Sandusky affair is shuffled into the background, I agree. But the fact remains that it happened, and it permanently tarnished his reputation.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

I just caught some of the coverage of his funeral on ESPN. Completely revolting. I literally told my brother (big sports fan who also found the coverage bizarre) that I had to leave the room as I found the reporting (and the local interviews) too upsetting, and I did. They're making him out to be Ghandi.

 

[iJohnHenry]

I just caught some of the coverage of his funeral on ESPN. Completely revolting. I literally told my brother (big sports fan who also found the coverage bizarre) that I had to leave the room as I found the reporting (and the local interviews) too upsetting, and I did. They're making him out to be Ghandi.

The only question I have for you, is "Why?".

 

[zachlegomaniac]

The only question I have for you, is "Why?".

If you're referring to the coverage it's because I was restoring windows for my parents in their home. My brother was watching TV in the room.

 

[Shrink]

I just caught some of the coverage of his funeral on ESPN. Completely revolting. I literally told my brother (big sports fan who also found the coverage bizarre) that I had to leave the room as I found the reporting (and the local interviews) too upsetting, and I did. They're making him out to be Ghandi.

First,it should be understood that I am in no way defending Paterno. He is, in my view, as culpable as his superiors for taking no action. The fact that he had been around for 100 years is in no way exculpatory.

But what did you expect at his funeral - eulogies pointing out that he was an irresponsible *******? It was his funeral, and people, like his family, were going to say he was a great guy and a saint. Folks do that kind of stuff at a funeral - they make the deceased out to be a saint.

With the exception of some at Penn State , he died in disgrace, as was proper. Having won umpteen football games over 100 years, does not make up for doing nothing when one of his coaches was shtupping kids in the athletic dept. showers.

But funerals are meant to ignore that...

 

[mkubel]

You need to get the actual facts beyond the headlines and rumors. McQueary, the actual witness, came to Paterno and told him a very vague account of what happened. This was already the next day, Paterno set up a meeting between McQueary and the AD and the head of campus police (the actual police department with jurisdiction.)

So Paterno saw that it was properly reported. He was led to believe that the investigation turned up nothing. The university president signed off on the report.

Still Paterno wanted Sandusky banned for just being inappropriate. If you want to blame someone look to the people who were suppose to be dealing with it, not the guy that saw it was reported.

Paterno is so widely regarded, not for being a coach, but for the humanitarian that he was. He donated millions to the university for academic (non-sports related) interests. How many coaches have the library named after them. He also supported many charities and privately helped out countless people.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

First,it should be understood that I am in no way defending Paterno. He is, in my view, as culpable as his superiors for taking no action. The fact that he had been around for 100 years is in no way exculpatory.

But what did you expect at his funeral - eulogies pointing out that he was an irresponsible *******? It was his funeral, and people, like his family, were going to say he was a great guy and a saint. Folks do that kind of stuff at a funeral - they make the deceased out to be a saint.

With the exception of some at Penn State , he died in disgrace, as was proper. Having won umpteen football games over 100 years, does not make up for doing nothing when one of his coaches was shtupping kids in the athletic dept. showers.

But funerals are meant to ignore that...

True, and a very good point.

I guess the topics that surround this man can hit nerves pretty hard, and lead some of us to look at their opinions regarding him as objective, when, in fact, they are not.