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Subscribe to RSSFormer Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, in an interview with The Washington Post, expresses disappointment that he didn't do more to find out what was being done about Jerry Sandusky's alleged behavior. NBC national Investigative Correspondent Michael Isikoff reports.
Paterno: 'I didn't know exactly how to handle' sex abuse case
Explore related topics: child-abuse, penn-state, joe-paterno, sex-abuse, paterno, jerry-sandusky, sandusky
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Call the cops... that's how you handle it!!
If you are going to criticize Paterno for not doing more then why don't you start tearing apart the police in 1998, children and youth services for closing the case in 1998, the coach at the highschool that saw fondling but said nothing, the Second Mile Foundation, the school that let Sandusky take the victims out of class, the DA's office in State College, AG's office for putting off the investigation until the AG was elected governor?
ak2012, those are the next steps. Of course you "start tearing apart the police in 1998, children and youth services for closing the case in 1998, the coach at the highschool that saw fondling but said nothing, the Second Mile Foundation, the school that let Sandusky take the victims out of class, the DA's office in State College, AG's office for putting off the investigation until the AG was elected governor," because it's only right. Why wouldn't you?
If you believe Paterno, who knew which players didn't tie their shoelaces, and didn't know everything about Sandusky, I have a bridge for sale cheap.
An adult male and a youth are naked together in a shower room. Where exactly does anyone fail to recognize "inappropriate" in this scenario? Regardless of who should've blown the whistle first, the blatant observation of such behavior in this particular incident means that everything right then and there should have been reported so that such actions could come to a halt... not be allowed to continue.
ak2012 But we are not talking about any other case. Paterno was the head coach at a prestigious University. He most probably had more real power and authority in that town than the chief of police. Yet he did NOTHING. And this man says that he did not know what to do when someone reports actually witnessing one of his coaches RAPING a ten year old boy. He saw him penetrating this child. If that had been anyone else, or one of HIS kids, he would have instantly dialed 911. I think every single person who knew about it and did not call police immediately should be charged with accessory to child molestation on that case and every case the State proves happened after that. Their silence allowed him to abuse how many other kids? I am sooo sick of these powerful people being allowed to make ludicrous statements like this.
It's funny how everyone knows everything that goes on at PSU and most of you probably can't pick out State College on a map. Mike McQueary did not see a rape he did not see penetration. He thinks he saw and heard. If all you "know it alls" read something more than ESPN you wouldn't be on here spewing out what you think you know. I"m not at all defending Sandusky but I am defending facts. How many of you think Sandusky was on the PSU staff in 2002? The way most of you talk it was like a child was being raped in a shower while Coach Paterno was in his office turning a blind eye. And he did go to police. Gary Schultz, Paterno contacted, who is going on trial for perjury overseas the PSU police. Before you say the campus police aren't real police..they are. This incident happened on campus. Why aren't we wishing death on Gary Schultz? It's hard to sit here and watch most of you on your moral high horse. Oh I would have done this or that. 99% would have done the same thing. Went to a superior. The only reason I brought up all those other people is because I don't see anyone criticizing anyone else but Paterno. Everyone should have done more but he is the only one to admit and is being crucified for it.
Paterno knew how to dial 911 .. Paterno is just as guilty as Sandusky .. when you stand by and allow a crime like this to be swept under the rug you are yourself just as guilty as the perpetrator of the crime ..Paterno was in charge at PSU not the higher ups as he calls them .. Paterno had no one higher up than himself at PSU .. The so called higher up did what Joe wanted and that was to sweep the whole thing under the rug .. Joe should be charged the same as Sandusky
Nice Carlo. Just make up facts as you see fit and then spew about how sick you are of other people making ludicrous statements. NOTHING means he did nothing - except report it to the people that he thought should handle it, right? You want to stick with that ludicrous statement. RAPING means raping, even though McQueary NEVER USED the word rape and testified that he did not see any penetration. No one is saying that Paterno should not have done more - or perhaps followed up more. But idiots like you making up "facts" and then spewing moral indignation are the idiots in this case. You are the same people screaming COVER UP - when it is clear that Paterno did the opposite of that.
Which is what they thought they did when they called Schultz. He is the head of the University Park PD - which had jurisdiction in this case. Any other suggestions?
Paterno did know how to dial 911. Where do you think that rings to? University police? Yes, that's right. So Paterno reported it to the head of the University PD. But that's not the same thing, right? Seriously, what else should Paterno should have done? Maybe hire a private investigator? Maybe call the FBI? He knows President Bush (both of them), maybe he should have called them too? Get real. He thought what he did was right. He didn't cover anything up. This is a big straw man argument so that the press that initially reported a "cover up" wouldn't end up with egg on their face when they learned that Paterno reported it to the proper authorities. So the story had to change to a "moral failing". Give it a break. The only moral failing that occurred here was MAYBE with Schultz - but CERTAINLY with the press.
Picking up a phone is pretty darn easy. 911. I've done it myself. Paterno is ethically bankrupt and it is amazing that people are trying to defend him overlooking child rape. Especially using such paltry methods of distraction, like pointing the fingers at other people, asking who could find the college on a map, or falsely claiming people are 'wishing death' on him. It's just plain absurd. Do the right thing, stop getting distracted. Simple for most people.
I didn't know what to do so I did nothing.
That red-headed coward who witnessed Sandusky raping a boy in the shower should have stopped it immediately. How do you turn your back on that situation!? How about getting the child out of the shower and calling an ambulance for what would be left of Sandusky?
Paterno is an icon.............people looked up to him............he should have taken the hardest stance and called the police and hammered this thing home instead of putting the reputation of the school and the attack it would have had on the athletic program as the priority.
A man such as Peterno who had age, experience in life of coaching young men and raising his own children and protecting them from what ever says he did not know what to do to protect this small boy from the likes of Sandusky?.................bull!.............he made the choice to protect the program---HIS PROGRAM---and is still lying to the world about his choice.
Paterno is the worst kind of adult..........the kind that knows a child is in trouble and does nothing....apathy for the child, sympathy for himself and protect his precious program at all costs.
Paterno should at the least say he is "SORRY!" for what he did not do.............SORRY for not pursuing this to its end...........SORRY for negligently passing this problem off on to others when the task was his to attend.
I hope that first boy in the shower and all those that followed due to Joe Paterno's lack of dedication to taking Sandusky to task and ridding the world of this consummate preditor ALL SUE Paterno and the others involved for not stopping Sandusky dead in his tracks.
For all those who sympathize with Paterno....................yes the police are just as culpable as Paterno and the staff at Penn State as I am sure they did not want their beloved school football program (which brings in a lot of money to the school as well as the community....should we look at the mayor also?) affected or the money it produced to stop flowing.........a scandal of this magnitude could have an affect over a period of years.
SAY YOU'RE SORRY JOE!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU KNOW YOU CHOSE TO DO THE WRONG THING..........guaranteed if it was Joe's son getting molested in the shower the world would have opened up and swallowed Sandusky......and that would have happened at Joe's hand..........but, guess the feeling was I don't know this kid, he is from the wrong side of the tracks, he will never be a Penn State student.....not my problem.
How can anyone feel sorry for these grown men whimpering like infants when the damage that has been done to these small children...8 years and up for goodness sakes!.......has damaged them for their entire lives...........but hey, it would be a shame for Joe to leave Penn State on a bitter note, right?
Power, money, ruthless abandon of character and cowardice....a recipe for capitalism..................people should be the priority...when did that change?
BTW...dialing 911 goes to a either a county or city center. It wouldn't go to the college police department, doesn't work like that. ...anywho, i think the point is Paterno knew about it, so did many others and no one took proper action to really stop these kids from being abused, they are lucky they weren't named as accessiors before or after the fact. i still think we are looking at the tip of the iceburg on this and more is to come.
Paterno wants to be remembered as a great man? Paterno wants to take the shadow off himself and Penn St.? Then come out and tell the truth and don't be remembered as a liar and a fall guy for Sandusky.
This has been exactly my point since the day the scandal broke. If the incident was reported to Paterno in 2011, I'm sure he would have handled the situation differently than he did back when McQuery first told him about it. A lot of new practices, procedures and policies have been developed over the past several years to handle these types of situations that didn't exist back when this incident was first reported. But everyone was so eager to crucify this man that nobody even bothered to mention this fact!
That's true. He told the person up the ladder that should have taken care of it. The same procedures are different today then back at that time this happened.
Procedures my eye, where does common sense come into play? Ann do you have children, if so I certainly hope nobody rapes your young relative. Basic common sense has certainly left this country hasn't it Ann? Up the ladder you people have lost (possibly never had) all reason.
What about murder? Up the ladder?
Nonsense...this isn't complicated. You call the cops. Not terribly surprising that even this bit of common sense is completely lacking from the morally tone deaf Paterno...the guy who in 2006 defended sex assualt by saying ..."a cute girl knocks on the door...what are you going to do??"
You "procedure prix" are pathetic! Your kid up against the wall with your "esteemed" coach, 'working it' and you're content with your 'procedures'? Ann Turner, YOU are PATHETIC!
What rubbish! Paterno failed to act as a decent person because he didn't know how to make it all go away and not damage his precious football goals and aspirations. His latest comments are mealy-mouthed, foot-shuffling excuses and regret for having gotten caught in the conspiracy to abuse children.
The procedure and/or policy is report it to the police. There is a lot more to this story than what is in this article. Read the grand jury testimony. You can find it on the internet. Paterno knew a lot more than what people think.
This is a man who ran the program with an iron fist and had spies everywhere. HE TOLD THE ADMINISTRATION HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FOOT BALL PROGRAM, NOT THE SCHOOL!
You are just a Paterno apologist!
Per Wilsonaide:" Paterno ran the program with n iron fist and had spies everywhere" this is a desperate pathetic comment from someone who lack the information and blabber from the wrong end and think with his small head. So you are sure there are Paterno spies around PSU that will tattletale to him huh? Of Course Paterno is in charge of the football program, if the school wants to be in charge then don't hire a coach. McQueary did not report a complete picture on what he saw and have no balls to stop the act, he lacks moral obligation, a coward and liar.
wyriz Read how he told the school, he would handle discipline for the foot ball team. Read how he got the administrator fired who tried to interfere with his discipline. Read the many reports how he got the administration to back down on the rules and regulations they put on him and his football team.
Apologists we don't need. Every business, and football at Penn St. is a business, has squealers and spies and they are there on orders of the CEO, or head coach. Unless you ran a team or a business, you don't have the right to comment. There are ass kissers and back stabbers and gossip to fill your day!
Of course there were spies and ass kissers that told him everything! You just hatched? Penn St. Football is a multimillion dollar business. You think that Paterno just relied on what he saw? He had his tentacles in everything. And as every business, there are informers.
I am very glad that you spoke with McQueary and you got an exclusive interview into his testimony and what he saw and did not see.
You sir are a incompetent dolt!
HE HID IT,pure & simple...what a DOUCHE! What if it were his children or grandchildren? Again, I say, WHAT A DOUCHE!
Hep,Hep,Hep, it's ALL ABOUT THE GAME!
What an assinine comment.
LG: What a pathetic putz!
Yeah, Chuck. And you REALLY added something constructive to this blog too. Calling someone a douche is childish... a 20 something. Putz? Well... that's vintage Walter Matthau. You must be an old fart.
Putz is Walter Matthau? Have you lived under a rock? That's a very current term in areas where Yiddish is spoken or at least understood.
jkatze: Speaking of Yiddish, I never knew a schmuck was a schlong!
And with lines like "I wish I had done more to help those kids," enabler describes him the most accurately.
So actually I think Paterno is more of a sphincter than a douche.
And a schmuck!
What did he do? He reported it to upper management. Nothing was done. Case closed, right?
Now, if he had reported to upper management that his team needed more money for something, and nothing was done, do you think he might have followed up? Asked a few questions? Damn right he would have.
o'really, if this had happened to your son/nephew would you have wanted him to call the police? What a weird idea that is!!! Fool
Allison,
You miss my point. I think he is scum. He didn't follow up because it didn't affect him or his team, which is all he cares about. He might try easing his conscience by donating money to the school, or claiming he didn't know what to do, but he's wrong, wrong, wrong.
Dumb ass comments... Post something substantial other than running at the mouth...
Paterno knew the weight of every player, knew everything about everything. In the interview he said HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SANDUSKY'S FIRST BRUSH WITH THE LAW ABOUT CHILDREN!
YOU BELIEVE THAT THEN HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RUNNING A FOOTBALL TEAM!
o'really, I got your point, I didn't make myself clear I was thinking of Paterno but didn't make that clear.
o'really - so you know for a fact that he didn't follow up, right? O'really? Because McQueary testified that Paterno did follow up.
wilsonaid, fair enough. So how was Paterno supposed to know that Sandusky was being investigated several years earlier? Maybe where you are from the police and DA's office publicize any ongoing investigation in the local newspaper - but in most places you'd never hear about an investigation unless someone is charged. So how many investigations are going on at your local PD right now? We'd all love to know.
Portsider1 Please don't test our intelligence. Paterno knew everything going on, on campus and of course he knew about Sandusky. Just review what happened after that brush with the law. It went through the colleges like wild fire. Sandusky was never offered another college football job! Why?
The WORD was out. And you think somehow, there was a big conspiracy to hid all this from Paterno?
You really have to be a very sorry individual to try and make us all believe that Paterno didn't know every word that was said in that investigation.
Who the hell does this old man think he's kidding?
Well... I don't think Joe is trying to kid anyone. Maybe he just does't understand. The guy IS 85!!! Do your grandparents or great grandparents GET the real world? Times have changed and some people just don;t change with the times. Granted... child abuse is not forgivable and turns the stomach of society. But I' thinking JP really didn't understand the message and felt it should have been dealt with by Curley. After all, Joe didn't catch Jerry in the Showers with the boy. Argue all you want. This is about Jerry, the boys, and Penn State Administration as a whole.
Joe is an easy target... but certainly not the MOST culpable so far as Penn State is concerned.
LG, what a pathetic way to excuse what happened. Things were different then? Bottom line is Paterno should have reported this to the police. You report crimes to the police.
Jesus Sandusky was dirty over 10 years ago!
What the pundits say is true. Why didn't Sandusky get offers from other colleges to run their football teams. Simple answer, the word spread and Sandusky was an outcast! Why didn't Paterno recommend him to another college?
Joe Paterno, like his co-religionist Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston and BL's predecessors Mederios and Cushing, et al., knows that the first rule of scandal response is to protect the Corporation's good name above all else. The "Good Company Man" is a valued commodity to any enterprise; note that Law has been given a princely retirement at The Vatican. Perhaps Law can put in a good word for Paterno and arrange for a sunny villa in Italy, rather than parole in chilly PA. Sing a few lines from "He's a Company Man," that witty ditty from Broadway's "How To Succeed Without Really Trying."
"Corporations are people."
Any man would have known what to do, especially if it was one of their own, nuff said, quit making excuses for him. Political correctness just keeps harming America at every turn. JP should have kicked the crap out of the sexual pervert, then called the cops. To hell with the chain of authority, when money dictates to the decision makers, you take matters into your own hands. If anyone should be tarred and feathered, I would start with the upper chain of command. But then again, they are the rich upper chain of command, and like everything else, they are above the law and the Constitution just like the politician hacks, when are you going to get pissed off enough to change this? Justice will never be served as long as these hacks have people protecting them, and turning a blind eye to their immoralities.
I just want to tell you Thankis for some kind sense.
Yeah, right... Your pretty righteous. You a preacher?
Pretty defensive of Paterno LG, you a former player?
Leroy... no. Just a voice of reason... Sympathetic to the victims... but waiting for the facts.
Joe Paterno was told about the shower incident years ago and that's a fact.
It's pretty obvious LG is being paid to troll comments in this article to justify Paterno.
You are treating Paterno like a child. He has been around adult sexually active men for more than 60 years. You can not seriously not know that he had Sandusky on his radar for all the time Sandusky has worked for Paterno.
Only extreme apologist would infer that Paterno has been that dumb for so many years. And the one thing we know about Paterno is that he is not dumb and has not had his finger on the pulse of everyone who played and worked for him!
Unacceptable!!
What a bunch of hag wash... nuff said
Poor Joe Paterno, he just didn't know how to handle it, he's old school ya know, and just doesn't understand these things. Here's a clue Joey- pretend it was your own grandson that Sandusky was caught raping in the shower. Think you might have figured out how to "handle it" then?
He blew it and his legacy is ruined. No excuses Joe. No sympathy for him. Remember the damage the victims will live with. He met repetitional risk and shirked his responsibilities.
No, his legacy is not ruined...
His excuses is like the Nazis saying they were just following orders. Too many young people's lives ruined Joe, go to hell.
Flinklock. Go straight to hell yourself....
It's even worse than that Flint. The nazi's were following orders that came down a long chain of command. Paterno was top dog. If he pushed for justice, it WOULD have been done. If a nazi soldier ordered to run a concentration camp pushed for justice he would have been killed.
Leroy, you and others are holding JP personally and wholly accountable. Sure... some accountability. But where is the justice? McQuery? Curley? Schultz? Trustees? President? PSU Police? DA?
Come on folks! Sure Joe is culpable. BUT should HE be held responsible for this? No. He just happens to be the easiest and most visible target for personal attacks.
Get a grip people. The courts will sort this out. Meanwhile... get a life...
They should ALL be held accountable LG. Why do you single out Paterno for absolution?
Didn't I just say that?
Everyone's quick to crucify Joe Paterno because of what common sense he should have shown. Don't see you guys crucifying McQueary. According to you judgementals, it should never have even been reported to Joe Paterno - McQueary should have gone to the cops right then. But no, Joe Pa is the face of the program, so you'll immediately start with your asinine comments that he has to go, has to lose his job, can't be trusted with young men's lives and on and on and on. And to date, Jerry Sandusky has not been convicted of anything. What happens if it turns out to be that it is just a conspiracy by a bunch of kids that saw a chance to make a lot of money for just a little bit of humiliation? Well, the court of pubic opinion has already judged Joe Paterno guilty for all the crimes committed by Jerry Sandusky. And the reality is that if the incident is true - witnessing it would be such a shock to anyone's system, that it isn't really clear what a person would do. Now that we have this example, it is easier to come to the right conclusion, but had you never heard it before, there's no telling what anyone else would have done. My Dad beat the hell out of me one time in front of a witness. That witness never reported it to the police simply because it wasn't done. In that day and age you simply minded your own business and left a man to deal with his own family. My Dad is also younger than Joe Paterno. It is within the realm of reason to accept that McQueary is a normal rational human being - and he didn't know what to do - so all of this self-righteous BS from all of the judgementals doesn't really hold water. It is easy to be on the outside looking in and making judgement calls, but walking in their shoes is entirely different. Yeah, if it turns out to be true, it is a real tragedy and Jerry Sandusky deserves every bit of punishment that can be dealt him. But so far as we know, only ONE incident occurred on Penn State's campus, yet in the media, that is the only thing reported and talked about. Everyone's smug judgemental behaviour is almost as disgusting as the alleged attacks.
One INCIDENT? That incident has a name, it is called the rape of a 10 year old boy. How many rapes needed to occur before it became relevant and meaningful enough for someone to do something?
I do agree with you, KC. McQueary should have gone straight to the police. After stopping Sandusky from molesting that boy.
Instead, he asked his father what to do. For heavens sweet sake, he was 28 at the time and had to ask his daddy for advice on what to do about witnessing someone raping a kid in the shower?? Then went to Paterno.
McQueary's story would be a lot more believable if he hadn't changed it several times.
KC and LG: I've got to agree with "YOUR comments" and I've read "nothing" where you're even attempting to "vindicate Joe Pa", but simply add a voice of reason.
Like you, I agree that sure, Joe Pa had "responsibility" in the process, but I still cannot understand why "McQueary seems to rarely be focused on" in these discussions... it is more than strange.
It is also strange why, based on what so many pretend to know, "why they seem to want Joe's head on a plate", but make little to no comments or reference to McQweary? I've had serious questions about him ever since this story broke.
McQweary is the one who witnessed the shower incident?
McQweary is the one who could have intervened, but instead "literally walked away" and took NO immediate action?
McQweary is the one who did not call 911?
McQweary is the one who did NOT immediately go to the police... but "went home and discussed it with his dad?"
McQweary is the one who "told Paterno a watered down version the NEXT day?"
So yes, when Joe heard "whatever version McQweary told him the NEXT day"... "perhaps, as Joe has repeatedly admitted, could have or should have done more?" Joe remains the "only one who has openly admitted to his own shortcomings" while ALL others involved offer ZERO admissions of fallibility.
But, WHY did McQweary get "put on administrative leave" and "Joe is the one who witnessed nothing, has already been fired, has had his legacy tarnished and is still being focused on?"
While this "spineless PUNK, McQweary is still on administrative leave?"
It is not so much about "defending Paterno"... but McQweary is THE ONE PERSON who seriously blew it.
BTW? How many people realize that "in a court of law, Joe Paterno's testimony is 100% INADMISSIBLE because it is known as "HERESAY" aka "you cannot say or repeat what someone else said to you". In other words, "useless", which is in "stark contrast to McQweary's testimony".
McQweary remains the "single witness", beyond the testimony of the victims.
If "anyone enabled anything throughout this, McQweary is the one".
Annan, that incident does have a name. It is a reported rape. So far there are two people that have given their version of the incident, and their versions are starkly different. The accuser has given 4 different versions of the same story at this point. The alleged perpetrator has given one version that hasn't changed. I have not read where the alleged victim has given any version of the story. So by all means Annan, continue with your self-righteous condemnation of people. Continue spewing your venom because all it takes for you nut-jobs to start your self-righteous motors is to hear the words child and rape in the same sentence. It doesn't matter if there is any truth to the story, no an accusation will do, thank you. A few years ago some young men from Duke University did what young privileged men do - hired some strippers to entertain at a party. All it took was for one of the strippers to yell racism and the next thing you know the entire nation was spewing its venom at the privileged lacrosse team. As I recall, the lacrosse coach lost his job. Several of the lacrosse players had their lives ripped apart by the accusations which were later found to not be true. But they were not found out quick enough to save the blameless coach's job, or several of the blameless player's lives. So by all means, Annan, continue spewing your venom about stuff you know no more about than anyone else - hell if it costs people their lives and it wasn't true, no biggie. Just chalk it up to moral outrage and justice be damned.
Geez KC. You must be one of the privileged men that you keep referencing - a little too defensive, just sayin! The statements that I referenced are not hypothetical conjecturing, they are factual statments made publicly by the parties involved. Hold onto yourself buddy. No need to get so worked up.
There is no excusing him...period...and there is no excusing anyone else who had knowledge of what was going on and did not pursue the law until something was done...procedures my ass...some of you are disgusting...you obviously have no children...or if you do...good luck to them!!!
Who is asking to excuse JP? Procedures YOUR ass!! You would want the same legal consideration for yourself or anyone else in your family or friends. Get off your high horse. No one is condoning what happened!!!
YOU were asking to excuse Paterno LG. Now you are changing your tune. "maybe he just doesn't understand" "he's 85!" or telling someone who suggests Paterno's legacy is ruined to "go straight to hell" Don't try to turn the tables and say that everyone else wants to excuse the other culprits. This is about YOU trying to excuse PATERNO.
Leroy, I have not changed my position.
When I get to be 85 years old (not likely but you never know) and I see a naked child getting boned in the shower by one of my employees and DON'T call the cops immediately, you have my permission to just shoot me right in the head because I'm a waste of human flesh and an oxygen thief.
STOP... Joe DID NOT SEE the naked kid getting boned in the shower. In fact, it apparently was not described anywhere close to that according to McQuery (the witness)... as McQuery said... out of respect for his coach. Read up on it...
You are quite correct - the initial set of circumstances I posted was inaccurate, so I'll change it.
When I get to be 85 years old (not likely but you never know) and somebody who works for me tells me that a naked child got boned in the shower by anybody, or that a child was even present in a shower in my facility, and I DON'T call the cops immediately, you have my permission to just shoot me right in the head because I'm a waste of human flesh and an oxygen thief.
I like how everyone thinks they know what should have been done but we don't know what the guy who says he saw it happening said. He's changed his story a few times. He didn't stop it, he did stop it. He told Joe Pa he saw them goofing off..saw him having sex with the kid. He went home and talked to his Dad about it, he went straight to Joe. This guy flip flops on his story more than any politician.Joe did what was expected of him, he reported it. In my opinion it sounds like the guy that reported it didn't make it sound scandalous or wrong. I'm certain if he told Joe Pa that he saw Sandusky having sex with a young boy he would have been a lot more diligent about what was happening.
You people need to look at your own selves and think of the time you saw something that looked wrong and didn't say anything. Heard some parent cussing or verbally abusing their kid and didn't say anything. Or if your kid said something to you and you thought it wasn't a big deal or nothing how much importance you would put on it in your life.
Get over yourselves and your judgement of his moral character. If he was in the wrong he will be judged by a far more superior power and punished then. You people act like it was Joe Pa getting it on in the showers with these kids. Wait for the facts and don't crucify an innocent man for doing what was required of him to do. He met his moral and professional obligation by doing what he did, if nothing happened after that go head hunting for those above him that didn't follow through on their responsibilities. Yes people, up the ladder, chain of command, your immediate supervisor...there are rules to life.
The MOST salient and reasonable post I have read on this topic in a long while. Thank you!!!
You are pathetic. Rape is not the same as having a foul mouth. If one of my kids came to me and told me they saw a man raping a 10 year old boy I would not turn a blind eye. Sounds like you would, but I wouldn't.
And I'm certain if McQueary told Joe he saw Sandusky raping a kid in the shower he would have reported it and followed what happened closely. If my kid told me that I would have. And if they knew the kids name I would have made sure I told their parents too! My moral character is fine as I feel yours is too.
Right! CALL THE COPS. If you don't get an immediate response, call the mayor. If you still don't get results, call the governor. Call anyone you can think of until someone hears you and acts on it. To say you didn't know how to handle it is just not acceptable. Paterno needs to admit that HE dropped the ball this time. How can you be an award winning coach and not know how to call the police? He might be a nice guy, and he is not well now, but his actions, or inaction, can not be justified. He told his superiors, yes, but did he see any one doing anything about it? That's when you go over someone's head, and make something happen. He was protecting his job at the expense of these kids.
McQuery was a grad student when he was a 28 year old on the staff of PSU Football. He has so much respect for Paterno (by his own admission) that he said he may not have been explicit enough to JP about the incident. Thereby possibly making JP feel that going to Curley (his superior) was the right thing to do (and it was). The ball was dropped by so many that everyone is to blame. The guy who may have been least informed could have been Paterno.. yet a very influential figure if he would have realized the seriousness of this incident.
I suggest that McQuery was NOT forthcoming with info to JP... he was more open and comfortable talking about it to everyone else (his father, his father's boss, etc). but not to Joe. And my how his story changed...
Put yourself in JP's position. In reality... did he do the right thing? But maybe not enough?
Lisa, I highly doubt if the allegations were true that Joe would have lost his job. Now everybody's going to say he was protecting Sandusky...how do you know? Unless you have knowledge that he didn't report it to protect Sandusky's job then say so. And my bet is NONE of you know this.
And now then, why didn't he call the cops? Didn't McQueary say he did? Where's that proof? Oh wait, the PSU police have no record of it. Well, why didn't he go up the ladder? He was, of course, the WITNESS! Think before you speak or people will know you're stupid as soon as you start.
Pathetic. All of you defenders, WHAT FACTS are you waiting to hear? It all seems pretty clear by the PUBLIC statements made by the people involved: McQueary - I saw Sandusky doing something of a sexual nature WITH A 10 YEAR OLD BOY! Sandusky - I did shower with young boys. Sandusky's lawyer - Jerry was simply teaching them a shower technique. Paterno - Mike came to me, he was very upset and told me that he saw Sandusky doing something inappropriate and it appeared to be sexual (A grown man is naked in a shower, ALONE, at night, with his arms wrapped around the waist of a 10 year old boy and an eye witness hears rythmic slapping noises that sounded like sex). What facts exactly do you need to understand what was going on and who knew what? All of you clowns are the same buffones who will blame the victims when they are finally forced to come forward and testify. I for one believe this case will never see the light of day and that Sandusky will plea. Paterno, Spainer and Curley know what they know and all 3 of them are pathetic cowards who were willing to turn a blind eye to an eye witness rape of a 10 year old boy for the sake of a football program!
Well, Annan... these are the exploratory questions, ambiguity, and inconsistencies we all want to hear in a court of law. Everyone is entitled due process. You would expect the same for your family and friends.
Calling Joe's defenders ( or at least "objective" defenders) clowns is kind of like... the pot calling the kettle black.
I am more interested in seeing this play out in court. And, no... I do not expect Jerry to plea guilty. He's got a jail sentence coming no matter what happens... no motivation to plea guilty.
"I want the truth!" "Sir, you can't handle the truth!"
Hey annan-(numbers), where is McQueary in your argument? He saw it didn't he? He had the act in his eyes didn't he? Shouldn't he have IMMEDIETLY picked up the phone and called the police? Stop with the choosing of statements of a piece of the story that comes to you that fits your argument. McQueary reportedly told Joe he saw him "goofing off" in the shower with the kid. Like I said, McQueary has changed his accounts of the whole situation a few times. (Who do you think is protecting their job? hmm?) Let the facts speak in court and then we will all know the truth and then you can crucify whomever deserves it.
Thanks for the name calling in a debate, it truely provides to prove your maturity and deep thought you've given the situation and not letting your emotions drive your thoughts.
Seems to me McQueary is changing his story to try to protect Paterno. Originally he said that he reported the incident to Paterno, that he told Joe what he saw. After came the claims of various degrees of a watered down explanation given to Joe.
Leroy... I absolutely agree with you on this statement. Alas.... McQuery's football coaching days are numbered...
clown
Well, gravityfell, Paterno was not the witness. You need to get your facts straight. He should have gone to the public police, not just the PSU police. He did neither. McQueary said he went to the PSU police and oddly they have no record of it. Paterno never said he himself went to the police. McQueary was the WITNESS and told Paterno what he saw. He, McQueary changed his story, later saying he went to police. Paterno reported it to his superiors and that was IT, he did not call ANY police. Maybe I get more news about this since I live in Pennsylvania, so maybe you need to check your facts before you accuse others of being stupid. And yes, I believe they were all protecting their jobs. Once the story broke just look at all the people who have been fired (or "retired") so far. Was that just a coincidence? Please tell me what being the witness has to do with not calling police to protect these kids? The witness of all people should call the cops. Unless McQueary has something to hide, or protect. Since when are witnesses not supposed to call the police??? With attitudes like yours, no wonder people like Sandusky can get away with something like this for as long as he has.
Lisa,
As a former PSU administrator, PA resident, and alum... I too read a lot about this story. Sandusky is a monster and I think we all agree.
Now... to the firings... as I recall... (all of the people who were fired?) Joe and Spanier were fired. Curley is on administrative leave, and Schultz (once retired, not sure of his status).
Technology is wonderful. I probably get all the stories you do and I'll make a bet I am pretty well read on thos story compared to a lot of folks... purely out of my own interest.
I appreciate opinion. I appreciate facts. I also appreciate the contributions people make to society and tend NOT to rely on one misstep to destroy all the good someone has done for community and society, I also appreciate our legal system with rights to due process.
Not sure I followed all of your post. But it seems to me that McQuery is the key figure to whom so many questions should be directed.
I in no way said Joe was a witness. That is a FACT we all know. There are rules that apply between campus police and local authorities. The local authorities can only investigate on campus at the request or approval of the campus police.
From the rest of your response you sound as though you're agreeing with me. Also you admit McQueary changed his story, but in your first response you chose sound bites that fit your tirade. I said McQueary should have called the police, to me that would have been the most responsible action to take. Call the campus police and wait there at the locker room for them to show up!
So explain to me what my "attitude" is about not berating a man that was NOT in the shower with a boy that was told a story (that no one here knows exactly how it was told) from a EYEWITNESS that did NOT immedietly call the cops? Should he be attacked for something someone else did and was told something about it by a guy that did nothing about it? Yet he did the same thing Joe did....reported it to his superiors. Get off the old mans back, he's the face of Penn State so it makes it easier to ride him into the ground.
So if campus authorities say no police aren't allowed to investigate? gravitty your comment makes no logical or legal sense
First i would have gone in, rescued the kid, beat the crap out of the guy and THEN called the police.
Best response ever! Agreed JohnRN!
Thank you !
Anyone who heard that Sandusky was seen in the shower with a ten year old boy should have put a stop to it. NO MAN SHOULD BE IN A SHOWER "HORSING AROUND" WITH A TEN YEAR OLD BOY! The police should have been sent to the shower in person to see what was going on. There were enough people in this so-called chain of command that could have done something. They are ALL responsible for what happens on PSU property. If someone was being murdered would they have kept it from local police? Rape is a felony. They were all cowards. Even the lovable Joe Paterno. If the building was on fire would they have all just sat there pointing fingers? You put the fire out, then you can find out who started it. This young child was living a nightmare and nobody rendered aid. He was going through his own "fire" and got no help. For those of you that want to be purposely obtuse, the fire is a metaphor. You don't have to call me stupid to make yourselves feel superior.
Lisa, I appreciate your rant.
McQuery should have called police. Period.
Yes, as PSU employees... everyone is an event of the university and are accountable.
Murder? Rape? Cowards? ... ????
Building on fire?
WHAT are you smoking/drinking. Please make sense.
Hate spell checkers... "agent of the university".
This whole sordid affair brings to light a serious problem with humanity itself. Sexual predators have operated with impunity throughout the entire history of mankind. It is only since the sexual revolution of the sixties that gays have come out of the closet and pedophilia was even acknowledged. When Joe Paterno was a young man, these things were always swept under the carpet and catholic priests could still rape little boys to their hearts content with no fear of repercussions as they had for centuries. This is what those who bring up Joe's age as an excuse for him are getting at, I guess. But Joe Paterno was a worldly man and he DID know that his non-action was wrong, that he should have stopped Sandusky forcefully, using the full power of his influence. It is time for him to admit this and apologize for not doing so.
Leroy. I agree. And I think this is a lucid point with value when discussing Joe's role/involvement. Its not meant to be a pass...
My mom is 85... I wish she was as sharp and active as Joe...
it's all about the GAME. Nothing matters but THE GAME. Coaches stop having any feelings other than THE GAME. They forget right from wrong if it impacts the GAME. look at Tressel and Paterno==all about the game.
If Penn state wants to restore their reputation, they must cancel their sacred football program for an entire season and put their house in order. This would go a long way towards the healing of Sandusky's victims. They must be made to feel that they are more important than the football program.
Uh, No... The university as an institution must follow through with the necessary steps for a "get well" program. But, I am not convinced that canceling the football program (this is not a PSU football issue) is any part of the solution. This is why the NCAA is hedging on taking any action...
leroy, I'm going to answer this and I know everyone is going to call me a cold hearted b4574rd for it...but you can't be serious. Penn State football did nothing to the victims. There is no reason to terminate the football program because of what happened here. If you go that far you certainly must go higher. I say they close the campus and burn it to the ground.
I highly doubt any of the victims blame PSU football, I'm certain they hold blame on the upper administration for their inactions more than the football program. You sound like you have a personal grudge against Joe and the football team the way you want Joe to apologize because he did wrong. He did what he was supposed to do. Once all the full facts come to light and if his further inaction did result in any victim being harmed further then yes, by all means an apology would be necessary.
I agree with psychoannie -- it's ALL about the GAME and MONEY!! It doesn't matter that Joe is 85 -- my parents are 85 and may not be up on the most current electronics (for example) but when I talked to them about this story and asked my Dad what he would have done, first thing he said is "call the cops!" There is a certain level of morality a person has and it doesn't go away no matter what age you are. It's called the right thing to do! All Joe and the rest of "up the ladder" was concerned about was money, money money, all at the expense of young boys. Those men are morally and ethically bankrupt and ALL of them should be held accountable. They chose money and success over the well being of many young boys, how incredibly pathetic and selfish. My loyalty stands with the boys (now young men) and I know they will be strong enough to get through this and past all of the pathetic lies and cover ups coming from Joe and "up the ladder." What a fantastic role model and example you set Joe and company!!
Hey Nikki, I notice your ladder starts at Paterno. What about the first to see the act? Why no mention of McQueary? He should be at fault too. Oh, that's right. He reported it to Paterno..he did the right thing I guess, huh? So Paterno reporting it up the ladder is wrong for him but OK for McQueary. Your Dad is right, McQueary should have called the cops. Where is the cover up from Paterno? The Grand Jury report said nothing about Paternos testimony being noncredible but they say it about Curley and Shultz. The media and the lynch mob public all go after Paterno because he's the only well known name out of the whole mess. Everybody else is just a name so they don't make the story interesting enough.