Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno to retire amid fallout from Sandusky sex abuse scand - Polidicks

[b][u]UPDATE 22:27 EST:[/u] The board of trustees have terminated Paterno and university president Graham Spanier, effective immediately.[/b] - [url]http://www.wtae.com/sports/29719039/detail.html[/url] [B]It's the end of an era[/B] [release]The Associated Press has reported that Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has decided to retire at end of the season. The announcement comes in the wake of a sex abuse scandal that's tarnished Penn State University's reputation. A person familiar with the decision said Paterno will announce his retirement later Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the decision has yet to be announced. People nationwide have called for Paterno to resign, but others have expressed much support for the longtime coach. On Tuesday, hours after the university canceled Paterno's weekly news conference, Paterno addressed a crowd of supporters that gathered outside his home Tuesday night. "You know …there's been some criticism of the way we've handled some of the poor victims. You know my wife and I, we have 17 grandkids from 16 to 3. We pray for them every night, but we're going to start praying for those kids that got some of the problems we talked about. They don't deserve it. We owe it to them to say a prayer for them to make sure they understand that their life can still be enriched," Paterno said from his front door. Paterno, 84, has not defended his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, who is charged with dozens of sex crimes against children. Paterno said he was prepared to make a statement at his weekly news conference. But after the university canceled it, reporters flocked to his home and Penn State students gathered there as well. Paterno was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Sandusky scandal, but many people have said they think Paterno should have done more to alert police and expose the alleged child abuse. Sandusky is accused of molesting eight young boys in his home and at the Penn State campus. On Tuesday, another alleged victim came forward.[/release] Tabasco: [URL]http://www.wjactv.com/news/news/ap-source-paterno-retire-end-season/nFY75/[/URL] One-stop shop for information on the scandal: [URL="http://www.pennlive.com/jerry-sandusky/"]http://www.pennlive.com/jerry-sandusky/ [/URL] It's a damn shame, wanted him to retire on a high note and not due to scandal.

[QUOTE=trainman1337;33200978] It's a damn shame, wanted him to retire on a high note and not due to scandal.[/QUOTE] Absolutely an awful way for such a great coach to leave the game, but when he had knowledge of what was going on years ago and merely did the least he could possibly do (reporting to some higher-ups), there have to be some consequences.

If he had knowledge of the crimes, he should have been fucking fired. And you yanks should institute some mandatory reporting laws. [editline]10th November 2011[/editline] [quote]did the least he could possibly do (reporting to some higher-ups)[/quote] Why ddn't they pursue it?

[QUOTE=Contag;33201537]If he had knowledge of the crimes, he should have been fucking fired. And you yanks should institute some mandatory reporting laws. [editline]10th November 2011[/editline] Why ddn't they pursue it?[/QUOTE] They covered it up to save the University's reputation, and I'm willing to bet this will end up going to the government level with the coverup. Penn State is a huge deal in Pennsylvania. All they've done now is tarnished the school's reputation even further.

[QUOTE=Contag;33201537] Why ddn't they pursue it?[/QUOTE] At this point, we're not really sure how much Joe knew/what he actually reported. It's looking more and more like he was fairly informed and fairly apathetic about the matter. If it turns out this is the case, then his reputation as both a head coach and a "moral compass" is forever garbage (rightfully so).

IT sucks to see such a legend go due to such shitty circumstances. You left quite a shadow to live up to Joe Pa.

Isn't this the guy that got paid over a million a year? Sorry but why the fuck would you go to a school that uses your tuition for that (sex scandal aside)

[QUOTE=thrawn2787;33202040]Isn't this the guy that got paid over a million a year? Sorry but why the fuck would you go to a school that uses your tuition for that (sex scandal aside)[/QUOTE] And out of that million, over 3/4 of it was donated to charitable organizations around the school. Honestly, the saddest part of this story is how, after 50 years of exemplary service, this scandal is how an amazing part of American History is going to be remembered.

[QUOTE=thrawn2787;33202040]Isn't this the guy that got paid over a million a year? Sorry but why the fuck would you go to a school that uses your tuition for that (sex scandal aside)[/QUOTE] Most big name colleges are like that because they have more than enough money to throw around, and in turn those salaries turn into even more money when they go to bowl games.

[QUOTE=GetBent;33202113]Most big name colleges are like that because they have more than enough money to throw around, and in turn those salaries turn into even more money when they go to bowl games.[/QUOTE] I find the importance of sport in American higher education utterly absurd

Completely deserved "retirement." Everything about this scandal is hypocritical when compared the message he's given his entire life.

[QUOTE=Contag;33202259]I find the importance of sport in American higher education utterly absurd[/QUOTE] The sad thing is sports make quick and easy money, whereas research and development takes a long time and may not yield results. So why risk it when you can just go, "Whoo football!! YEAH!!!"?

[QUOTE=Contag;33202259]I find the importance of sport in American higher education utterly absurd[/QUOTE] I'm willing to bet that you would go to college for 3 years to play a sport and then move up to the pros and make millions if you had the chance.

As a current student there, it is absolutely heart-breaking knowing that one of our most beloved figures is even remotely involved in a scandal like this.

Legally he seems to be in the clear. He reported the incident, as required by law, to his superior. But DAMN! If someone comes to you, someone so upset that he brings his dad too, and reports some old guy doing something with a kid in the showers- you have to call the cops right then and there. Come on! You can call your boss afterwards. I just don't see a scenario where a guy like Paterno hears about hankypanky going on in his facility's showers and says "meh, I think I'll just call the boss later".

[QUOTE=cecilbdemodded;33207931]Legally he seems to be in the clear. He reported the incident, as required by law, to his superior. But DAMN! If someone comes to you, someone so upset that he brings his dad too, and reports some old guy doing something with a kid in the showers- you have to call the cops right then and there. Come on! You can call your boss afterwards. I just don't see a scenario where a guy like Paterno hears about hankypanky going on in his facility's showers and says "meh, I think I'll just call the boss later".[/QUOTE] it's called a chain of command.

A kid getting raped trumps chain of command, at least in my world. Chain of command is what you use when someone gets caught stealing office supplies.

[QUOTE=GetBent;33202113]Most big name colleges are like that because they have more than enough money to throw around, and in turn those salaries turn into even more money when they go to bowl games.[/QUOTE] Because, oh you know, it's not like America doesn't have a serious educational problem and that money couldn't be put twards financial aid, even if it gave everyone free rides (all the better)

[QUOTE=thrawn2787;33208413]Because, oh you know, it's not like America doesn't have a serious educational problem and that money couldn't be put twards financial aid, even if it gave everyone free rides (all the better)[/QUOTE] I know it is sarcasm but i can't help to think of my old school that decided it was more important to repaint the football team's bus then to buy us new books. Our teachers literally spend their own money to provide us all with books. Disgusting.

[QUOTE=Leonmyster;33206873]As a current student there, it is absolutely heart-breaking knowing that one of our most beloved figures is even remotely involved in a scandal like this.[/QUOTE] Maybe it's time for him to stop being a beloved figure He knew about child abuse and didn't go to the cops, he's a pretty shitty person regardless of what the law says

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33208667]Maybe it's time for him to stop being a beloved figure He knew about child abuse and didn't go to the cops, he's a pretty shitty person regardless of what the law says[/QUOTE] He's also done more charitable things than any of you dumb fuckers saying hes absolutely terrible will ever do

[QUOTE=Contag;33202259]I find the importance of sport in American higher education utterly absurd[/QUOTE] I don't find it absurd.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33208667]Maybe it's time for him to stop being a beloved figure He knew about child abuse and didn't go to the cops, he's a pretty shitty person regardless of what the law says[/QUOTE] Organizations have a hierarchical structure of authority. He reported the incident to his superiors which was the RIGHT thing to do. Joe Paterno's job isn't to handle child abuse cases, he's a football coach. Those decisions rest upon his superiors, and unfortunately they didn't do shit. Google chain of command if f you want to know more of what I'm talking about.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33208667]Maybe it's time for him to stop being a beloved figure He knew about child abuse and didn't go to the cops, he's a pretty shitty person regardless of what the law says[/QUOTE] So he should be disgraced because he didn't want to ruin his friend? What if one of your friends did something illegal and you didn't report it? Does that make you a shitty person?

[QUOTE=Contag;33202259]I find the importance of sport in American higher education utterly absurd[/QUOTE] I find the lack of importance of sport in Australian higher education disturbing. Though to be serious, there's a lot of money to be made from it, and it gets a lot of people moving on to the NFL and the like. Besides, if they have the teams playing each other, why not make a little money off of it and do some good for the players?

[QUOTE=Choobacca;33208876]He's also done more charitable things than any of you dumb fuckers saying hes absolutely terrible will ever do[/QUOTE] Bernard Madoff has done more charitable things than any of you dumb fuckers saying hes absolutely terrible will ever do :downs:

[QUOTE=The Baconator;33209727]Bernard Madoff has done more charitable things than any of you dumb fuckers saying hes absolutely terrible will ever do :downs:[/QUOTE] Why did you rate me dumb?

[QUOTE=Choobacca;33208876]He's also done more charitable things than any of you dumb fuckers saying hes absolutely terrible will ever do[/QUOTE] Doesn't change the fact that he put his job ahead of a child being raped. [editline]9th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;33209226]So he should be disgraced because he didn't want to ruin his friend? What if one of your friends did something illegal and you didn't report it? Does that make you a shitty person?[/QUOTE] If your friend is raping children then yes it does make you a shitty person.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33208667]Maybe it's time for him to stop being a beloved figure He knew about child abuse and didn't go to the cops, he's a pretty shitty person regardless of what the law says[/QUOTE] Say what you want. There is a reason why Joe Paterno is the most beloved figure, and this scandal won't change that. What he has done for the community and the school is beyond what most head coaches or such would do. Could he have done more to help this incident? Sure. The blame of this incident is unfairly placed on JoePa.

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;33209205]Organizations have a hierarchical structure of authority. He reported the incident to his superiors which was the RIGHT thing to do. Joe Paterno's job isn't to handle child abuse cases, he's a football coach. Those decisions rest upon his superiors, and unfortunately they didn't do shit. Google chain of command if f you want to know more of what I'm talking about.[/QUOTE] I agree, it's not his job to handle child abuse cases. [I]It's the police's job[/I], which means he should've reported it to something that supersedes the hierarchy of a university, the law. Regardless of what anyone says, the law is the law, and it's essentially obstruction of justice for someone like Joe Paterno to not report it to the police.