JOE PATERNO - DECEMBER 21, 1926 - JANUARY 22, 2012
Fabled Penn State football coach Joe Paterno passed away this morning in State College, Pennsylvania. He became gravely ill with complications from lung cancer & his chemo treatment. His family & close friends had been summoned to the hospital yesterday to say their last goodbyes. His wife & children were at his bedside this morning when he died.
Sadly, Joe Paterno will be remembered for what he didn't do instead of everything he did do. But it was that one thing, ignoring the welfare of a child, that really warrants the bad feelings. I just can't justify Paterno's inaction when faced with the horrific story of his close friend Jerry Sandusky. No 409 football wins, no library, no philanthropy can excuse the decision he made just about ten years ago to turn his back on his responsibility.
I never wished death on Paterno like so many have since the Sandusky incidents came to light. It makes me sad to read so many horrible "wishes" to Paterno & his family(totally innocent) this morning on message boards all over the internet. I'm not a doctor, but I could believe the past four months played a major role in contributing to his death. His passing is truly a sad day for the Penn State community. But it's not as sad as the memories some young men have to live with everyday because of Sandusky & the inaction of people at Penn State. Those memories will linger long after Joe Paterno is laid to rest.
Sadly, Joe Paterno will be remembered for what he didn't do instead of everything he did do. But it was that one thing, ignoring the welfare of a child, that really warrants the bad feelings. I just can't justify Paterno's inaction when faced with the horrific story of his close friend Jerry Sandusky. No 409 football wins, no library, no philanthropy can excuse the decision he made just about ten years ago to turn his back on his responsibility.
I never wished death on Paterno like so many have since the Sandusky incidents came to light. It makes me sad to read so many horrible "wishes" to Paterno & his family(totally innocent) this morning on message boards all over the internet. I'm not a doctor, but I could believe the past four months played a major role in contributing to his death. His passing is truly a sad day for the Penn State community. But it's not as sad as the memories some young men have to live with everyday because of Sandusky & the inaction of people at Penn State. Those memories will linger long after Joe Paterno is laid to rest.
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