Joe Pa. went way beyond football

Several months ago the passing of Penn State coaching legend Joe Paterno would have rocked the sports world but would have likely been relegated to the sports pages. Because of a controversy that cost him his job it grabbed headlines all over the country. It is the sad end to what was, until recent months, one of the greatest coaching stories in all of sports.
The story of Coach Paterno’s death caught the attention of news editors because of the Jerry Sandusky situation. The former Penn State assistant Coach is now facing a trial for sexually abusing children. Coach Paterno became involved because he did not react to the situation in the proper way. When he learned of it he informed his superiors in the university but no move was made to get law enforcement involved. Even as he lived his last days Coach Paterno admitted that was a mistake. He admitted he should have immediately called police. He didn’t but that doesn’t mean that mistake should define his career and life.
Coach Paterno should first be honored for what he is, the winningest coach in college football history. That record may stand for many years. While there are and will be a lot of good coaches any of them have a long way to go even to get close to the record that is now in place.
Coach Paterno should also be remembered for his loyalty. The young generation of coaches doesn’t understand loyalty to one team. Coach Paterno understood it for the half century he led the Nittany Lions. He did not follow the almighty dollar but was grounded by his roots in State College.
He and Bobby Bowden are examples in this way that young people should follow. They should resist the call of the dollar and focus on making their university the best it can be, over a long period of time.
The coach should be honored for the young men he sent out into the world bound for success. Some names who succeeded in the National Football League include John Cappalletti, Franco Harris and Kerry Collins. There are many others and the number who succeeded in other fields after their days on the Penn State gridiron will never really be known.
One honor should be higher than any others. When parents send their children off to participate in a college sports program in many ways they depend on coaches to act in their place. Coach Paterno took on this role enthusiastically, according to most counts. Many parents were undoubtedly grateful and were probably among those who mourned last week.
Once he gets the prison time he deserves Coach Sandusky should reflect on what he did to Coach Paterno’s legend. Instead of making excuses of inexcusable actions he should focus on apologizing to the Paterno family. It is the least he can do. Even when he does the world should remember Penn State football and Joe Paterno for the many good things that took place over the last half century.