The Passing of Paterno
“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.”
― Grantland Rice
There are so many different ways I could have approached this cartoon. I find it terribly sad that Paterno ended his time at Penn State with a horrific scandal. But I feel terribly sad for the victims it claimed. Joe Paterno once stood for everything that is right about college athletics. He preached integrity and honor and commitment to a larger cause. He taught young men to excel, not only on the field but off it as well. I almost used the Grantland Rice quote in this cartoon. I think perhaps it fits Paterno’s legacy more than any other quote I can think of. But the simple imagery of a stoic figure on the edge of eternity, with his trusty companion at his side seemed an apt tribute to the man and his mission. So today, at the passing of a coaching legend, I choose to remember him with dignity. I think, perhaps, he deserves at least that much. And more.
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Pure class my friend. It bothers me that the very people that scream that the media bends the truth and creates the story at times, have failed to give this man even a millimeter of a benefit of the doubt. I feel for those victims and I pray for them and their families- but I dont know if we will EVER know the truth about the level of Joe Pa’s involvement, action or lact there of. That being the case, it is only fitting that he be called home before facing those accusations. I love the way you handled this Drew. But from you, I would never expect ANYTHING less than total class.
Good Morning from OMaha,
46 years of coaching excellence, and his last act is his response to a scandal that enveloped him and his record. The victims of the scandal have to live the rest of their lives with what happened. Joe did what he thought he should have done and lived with the public perception that he did not do enough.
most of us will pass from this world with nary a notice. We will have left the marks of our children and the hopes that they will live a better life than we did, but we will pass into history with the turn of the obituary page in the paper.
Joe will be remembered not for his record of coaching and the building of perhaps hundreds of young men and the legacies they have created. An asterisk will also mention the scandal and his name will carry that scarlet letter into the ages.
Strive for excellence, nothing but your best.
Gene
Just a reminder: Everything you build up and all the good you do over a lifetime can be tarnished by one horrible mistake. What really added to the enormity of the scandal was the fact that JoePa had built a college football power without a hint of major impropriety in an age where violations were almost a rite of passage for major programs.
He was stricken down by cancer. Hopefully his team can recover from a metaphorical one.
The man was a football coach who preached morals and integrity to his players. He stayed with a school and showed great loyalty. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that he was part of a good old boys club. I do believe that he had knowledge of improprieties but turned a blind eye to them in another show of loyalty. I do believe that he never took ownership of what he might have done to put an end to the torture of young men.
You’re a class act (in a very good way), Drew. You really are.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Paterno family, and those who knew and loved Mr. Paterno the most.