One of the things that disgraced figures in the world of sports can always count on is that someone among the media scribes whose love and affection they carefully cultivated for so many years will always rise to their defense.
Yes, even in the case of Joe Paterno.
Sorry, Sally, but the buck really does stop in the coach's office. His assistant got away with his revolting misconduct because he worked for "a legend." His school's president looked the other way at the evidence, because "the legend" didn't object.
And "the legend" didn't do anything because he didn't think he needed to.
Why? Well, after all, he was "a legend." Everyone kept saying so. Didn't they?
And isn't that belief the gasoline that propelled this fire? If only these students could feel as passionately about the abused as they do about the coach that looked the other way.
Thank God, or whomever/whatever you worship, for the Penn State officials who put the victims first. They, and not the rioters, are the ones who can say "We are Penn State" with any sincerity.
And all of us need to remember that, ultimately, only humanity and God belong on pedestals. The rest of us need to earn the respect and love of others--but never let it turn into worship.
And the media? Thankfully, some who work in it still get it.
UPDATE, 11/14/11: It is not fair to say Paterno did nothing. But he clearly didn't do enough. And, in this case, not enough is no better than nothing.
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