WAYT: No place for Penn State love

It is clear to me that there is a fundamental misunderstanding in the general populace and among national sports commentators regarding the punishments levied against Pennsylvania State University (PSU) by the NCAA.  From what I’m hearing, these people just don’t get it. 

The most notable punishments include a four year postseason ban, a $60 million fine, a five year probation that slashes scholarships, and all of its wins since 1998 have been erased from the record books.

You think that the punishments are unjust?  Really?  I cannot fathom what you are thinking. 

Several of the quotes that struck me include:

Penn State student Alex Gibson: "[Vacating] The wins … we didn't cheat in football, that's unnecessary."

PSU student Maddy Proy: "It just keeps piling on and on.  We are a huge family and this is just a huge blow to our family."

Michael Robinson, former PSU player from 2002-2005 who went on to play in the NFL: "Jerry was a sick man.  I just don't think that our program is defined by the actions of one sick individual."

ESPN columnist J. A. Adande: "Why punish athletes who weren't even around when all of this was transpiring?"

ESPN's Jeremy Schaap: "The immediate impact is that the NCAA is allowing student athletes to transfer without penalty.  That means there might be a mass exodus … with no hope of playing at a bowl game, no hope to play in a championship, you would expect to see most of Penn State's top players move out of there."

Alex, Joe Paterno did cheat in football.  He managed his staff in such a way that they were allowed to sexually abuse children on the PSU campus.  The victims were cheated out of an innocent and safe childhood, and the lucky ones who didn’t become victims were left vulnerable regardless.  Anyone who could have crossed paths with Jerry Sandusky was cheated, because any person at any time could have been sexually abused by him.  Paterno decided that football was more important than people.  That’s cheating. 

Maddy, no one is piling on your family.  Your family, a host of individuals corrupted by money and power, violated the laws of Pennsylvania (and all widely accepted codes of moral ethics).  The university that harbored these criminals will now receive the punishment they (so richly) deserve.  If you feel pressured by that, then maybe you’re starting to get the point.  And maybe you should re-evaluate who you include in your family.  I wouldn’t want Joe Paterno in my family.

Mr. Robinson, your program was defined by Jerry Sandusky’s actions.  From top to bottom, behind closed doors, the coaches and administration acknowledged Sandusky’s despicable acts and decided that it was a risk they were willing to take on your behalf.  You, as a former participant in the PSU football program, should be outraged that they put you at risk in this manner.    

Mr. Adande, the punishments are intended to revitalize the program.  If PSU takes a break from their constant striving for wins, maybe they’ll fix their broken system that turned a blind eye to child rape and exploitation for the sake of fame and money. 

And finally, Mr. Schaap, these kids should leave.  PSU obviously doesn’t have its act together.  I’d say it’d be best for PSU to lessen their responsibilities so that the university can focus on its core responsibility. 

That responsibility is the following: INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING EXIST SOLELY BECAUSE THERE ARE STUDENTS TO EDUCATE. 

This is the only purpose that any teacher serves, to receive students with open arms and fill their minds with knowledge.  Sports are EXTRA.  PSU didn’t, one day back in history, spring from the ground as a football mecca.  PSU is a UNIVERSITY.  If they can’t handle sports, then they should stick to the basics. 

There is nothing in this world that disgusts me more than the idea that grown adults would prey upon small, young children to fulfill their prurient, sociopathic sexual desires.  Truly, even the thought of such a thing makes me simultaneously wretch and fight off a bout of emotional hysteria.  A man who was informed that Jerry Sandusky was committing child rape and decided that was alright deserves to have his statues torn down, his epic football legacy erased, his reputation tarnished beyond recognition. 

Imagine it was you who was Victim #5.  Imagine it was the person you love most.  Get.  Some.  Perspective.