The problem with ordinary gods
From USA Today:
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – They gathered around the bronze statue of their former football coach shortly after the news spread Sunday morning. Less than a mile away from Beaver Stadium, Joe Paterno died at Mount Nittany Medical Center at the age of 85.
I went back and forth about whether to write about the passing of Penn State coach and football legend Joe Paterno. In an era of pay for play college football scandals, Joe Paterno demanded and received more from his players. There is no shortage of praise and admiration for this man who loved the game and loved his players. He did so many things right.
“I wish I had done more.”
- Joe Paterno (in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal)“This is a sad day! Our family, Dottie and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Sue and her family. Nobody did more for the academic reputation of Penn State than Joe Paterno. He maintained a high standard in a very difficult profession. Joe preached toughness, hard work and clean competition. Most importantly, he had the courage to practice what he preached. Nobody will be able to take away the memories we all shared of a great man, his family, and all the wonderful people who were a part of his life.”
- Jerry Sandusky (in a statement released by his lawyer)
A bitterly ironic statement coming from the man whose actions and Paterno’s subsequent inaction lead to a sizable black mark on a bigger than life legacy.
In State College, PA football is a religion and Joe Paterno was their god.
But the problem with ordinary gods is that they are fallible. Ordinary gods must make difficult decisions. And sometimes they choose badly.
After 62 years of coaching, serving as a much beloved, respected role model, the last 11 weeks of Paterno’s life were filled with physical and emotional challenges.
“I just can’t help but think he died of a broken heart.”
- Mike Millen, former Penn State player
Many will say that nothing will take away from Paterno’s legacy. But for me, some mistakes are bigger than others. Much bigger. I mourn the loss of a great coach, and my heart aches when I think about the shame and regret that must have shadowed his final days.
If Joe Paterno was the man that his legions of fans believed him to be, I can’t help but wonder if the cancer that ate away at his lungs was miniscule in comparison to the one which crept into his heart on that fateful day in 2002 when he chose not stand up for the least of these.
We fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
Beyond reputation, beyond glory, there is great honor in doing what is right.
We serve a just and merciful God. I pray for Coach Paterno’s family. May he finally rest in peace.
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I am torn over this. Coming off the murder memoir, I can’t help but feel strongly that people need to speak truth to power, even if it costs them. Especially if it costs them.
That said, I am troubled that a man would spend that much of his life, faithfully serving, only to be kicked to the curb under media spotlight.
There are plenty of lessons for all of us in this. Do not store up your treasures…
I know. He gave so much. Inspired and encouraged so many. I haven’t seen much in the way of negative coverage concerning his death, but knowing the media, it will come.
“I wish I had done more.” I believe he meant that sincerely. I wish he had as well.
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Some of the comments left on the secular news station verses a well-recognized Christian radio station are just as appalling.Your post was not only respectful, but so close to the truth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I believe the root of the problem is/was much bigger than Joe Paterno in that we have lost sight of what’s really important in this world when innocent children’s’ lives are less valuable than any coach or football team. I grieve for the innocent young men who are trying to make sense out of the public’s reaction, whether it be vindictive towards the death of any human being or that they perhaps are still the forgotten victims in this tragedy. A lot of adults let these boys down.
You’re so right, JoAnne. I think this all points to a bigger problem: what we value as a society. The victims are once again overshadowed. Thanks for your thoughts.
Joe Paterno molested no children. Joe Paterno reported what he was told to his superiors. He is still being condemned even in death by people who are ticked off he didn’t do something that most people wouldn’t do themselves.
I know dozens of people who heard that someone was being abused and didn’t do anything about it because they “didn’t want to get involved.”
The hypocrisy of the double standard among so many regarding Paterno still makes me sick.
And I am SICK AND TIRED of everyone who plays the “forgotten victims” card regarding Sandusky’s victims. Just because you think Paterno has been treated unfairly doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten those kids. It’s the politically correct thing to run to the “what about the victims” card but it’s entirely possible for someone to believe Paterno was treated unfairly while still being furious about what happened to those kids. It’s not either-or.
I didn’t see Paterno as a god. I did see him as someone who was thrown to the loud voices in the media screaming to tear down a great man because that’s what we do in America.
Paterno reported the incident to the athletic director of Penn State. Campus police were never notified nor any other law enforcement agencies. If you read the grand jury indictment, it paints a clear picture (for me, anyway) of what’s most important: the reputation of the school and its legendary football dynasty. Rather than call the police, the assistant called his father, who in turn calls Paterno, who then calls the athletic director. Sandusky’s punishment? They took his keys to the locker room away.
I don’t give a damn what the implications are, if I saw a 10 year old boy being sodomized by a grown man, I’m calling the police. Just because Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation (48 hours after the incident) doesn’t mean he fulfilled his moral one, and this particular victim was not the last on the indictment. There were more after 2002.
And so you’re all in favor of finding everyone who knew about a child being abused anywhere and ruining their reputations and lives if they didn’t do everything you thought they should have done?
Either we have the same standard for reporting abuse regardless of who it is or we don’t. The standard used for Paterno is routinely ignored by MANY average people but we don’t see screaming for the heads of anyone who doesn’t report abuse.
Joe Paterno was the most powerful man at Penn State. Some would argue the most powerful man in the state of Pennsylvania. We’re not talking about allegations of abuse. We’re talking about the rape of a child which was witnessed by a coach of school property. And sorry to go back to the grand jury report, but it also states that a janitor witnessed a similar act previous to the this one, again, in the locker room showers. He was told by his supervisor not to report it. You have to wonder what kind of environment creates an atmosphere of “protect reputation above all else”. I’m not screaming for his head. I never did. But he should have gone to the police or at the very least made sure someone did. With great power comes great responsibility. I can’t speak to others turning their heads when confronted with the possibility of abuse. I have personally never been in a situation where abuse was alleged or suspected. If I ever am, I pray that I have the discernment and the courage to do the right thing.
I read this yesterday, but wanted to step back a moment before commenting.
I am Catholic, and to say I have been disappointed by many in authority that have made similarly boneheaded decisions ( if I were completely honest, even MORE boneheaded considering whom they are supposed to represent) whom I otherwise respect is an understatement of colossal proportions. We may as well call the Taj Mahal a nice tombstone.
Paterno made a boneheaded decision, and it is sad that at the end of his life, this boneheaded decision overshadows all the good he had done in the eyes of the public.
I’m sure that I would be saddened as well if the stupidest and most vile thing I had ever done became public knowledge, and I was known for that instead of any good I ever accomplished, or at least tried to accomplish.
I can only be grateful that in the sight of God, my sins are as far as the east is from the west, and hope that the same can be said for Mr. Paterno. When push comes to shove, none of us deserve such grace.
It’s fascinating to see humans who thrive in one area of life and fail in others. I feel horrible for the man and his family. We all know what he should have done but then again, how often does that apply to us as well? We don’t need to make any excuses for him or his behavior and at this point all we can do is pray for those who have to live with the negative legacy of what has happened and thank God that He is sovereign over all this mess.