Tip-Off for 7/13/13 (featuring Gerald LeVert): When Babylon Falls
Joe Paterno spent the better part of his career at Penn State as one of the most ethical men in sports. Now after yesterday’s released reports. I wonder if Paterno knew exactly who he was getting when he hired Jerry Sandusky.
The most powerful and revered man in college sports enabled a predator access to our most natural resource and looked away. This is without a doubt, the greatest scandal in the history of American sports.
Joe Paterno today is stripped of any legacy, morals or ethics. Living or dead, Paterno should be flogged in the court of public opinion that got its rocks off on athletes like Michael Vick and Tiger Woods for months at a time.
Paterno’s statue should be removed and replaced with a plaque explaining why it was removed. But the symbolism in the image should stay in our minds as a reminder of what really mattered to Joe Paterno which was Joe Paterno and the power that came with that being Joe Paterno. The former coach is running – tie flowing, almost god-like to those that still revere him. Behind Paterno encased in concrete are four players running behind their coach – never gaining ground — almost as if it would be sacrilege in passing Paterno.
Paterno’s statement to Mike McQuery the Friday night he (McQuery) walked in on Sandusky raping a young man, displayed the supreme power and arrogance that Paterno wielded on campus. “You did what you had to do, now it’s up to me to decide what we want to do.” Paterno delayed speaking to anyone until the following week while Sandusky continued to roam freely.
Paterno and the powers that were in Happy Valley knew for at least 14 years that a predator walked among them and like a dysfunctional family it was accepted as normal behavior. Those associated with the school through academics or athletics seem just as delusional.
Matt Millen once a kick-ass member of the Oakland Raiders was reduced to a boy just learning there was no Santa Claus when speaking of his former coach yesterday. Millen, in disbelief refused to believe that his father-figure was capable of these atrocities. Word travels in the mountains just as it does from corner to corner and in those hills they protect their own. Hence the racist bias on campus towards minorities coupled with an unconditional dedication to Paterno. Outsiders were not truly welcomed unless they accepted the culture. Happy Valley has had many in a Jonestown-type grip. Regardless of the carnage no one would dare take the in-house laundry out to hang.
The term, “Stop Snitchin’” was heavy on the lips of the hierarchy in Happy Valley before it became the code of the urban streets.
The Lineup:
Blake Griffin out of the Olympics with a torn meniscus (ESPN).
Chicago sportscaster Bob Greenberg passes away at 67 (Chicago Tribune).
Just wait until the civil suits start rolling in (ESPN).
Lack of summer job programs will effect urban youth crime rate (Black Economic Development).
Team USA crushes the Dominican Republic 113-59 (NBA.com).
Magic and Bird react to Kobe’s comments (In Flex We Trust).
Iranian father arrested for Facebook posts. We need that here (In Flex We Trust).
Orlando likes Houston’s offer for Howard better than Lakers proposal (IamaGM).
T.O. late on child support faces jail time (In Flex We Trust).
From Modi: Traitors!!!: Steve Nash, Ray Allen, and the loyalty sham of American sports media (PopsSpot).
Happy Birthday! We miss you Brother!
I believe in forgiveness, but I also think the so called Penn St. legacy of Paterno should reflect his transgression also. Those that wish to keep all the good that he stood for more power to them. To quote MLK “there comes a time when silence is betrayal” Those that want the truth of what he knew and why he didn’t do anthing about it, more power to them also. Paterno’s salvation is between him and God. Excellent read Ron.