The following is an official statement released by Paterno and his people:
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Nov. 9, 2011 -- I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.
I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.
That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.
My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.
While this is a decent first step it is obviously not enough. It will be one of the biggest travesties in sports if Joe Paterno is allowed to step onto the sidelines for Penn State on Saturday.
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I love JOEPA
ReplyDeleteWhen it is time, you must leave. Paterno should have retired a few years ago, done the final season tour getting deserved acolades and left with his reputation intact. When you stay too long at the party, it seldom works out well.
ReplyDeleteI have always admired JoPa, However, he needs to go now. Anything else will appear to be just to participate in the Big 10 Championship and end on a high note as he dictates it. He made a bad choice. Think about how it may look to the victimsif action is not made immediately. Don't put the program ahead of what happened. let him go now!!!
ReplyDeleteknowing that a horrible crime is being comitted upon a child and choosing to keep quite makes you a guilty party to that crime. Shame on everyone involved who tried to cover up.
ReplyDeleteI just heard Ben Jones on ESPN say that JoPa should be coaching this weekend. He hasn't been charged with anything. True but he could have prevented some of this. Ben Jones if he has kids were probably not one of the victims because I bet he would have a different opinion!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about this. Why does everyone want Joe's head on a platter? I am from Alabama, a big Crimson Tide fan. Joe is to Penn State what Bear Bryant was to Alabama. I respect Joe. He's a good man. I am a mother and grandmother. I don't understand why everyone is calling it a cover up. Was it Joe's place to take it further? He told the University. Why is it that everyone's thought is that HE should have done more? He is one man. Why is everyone judging him when I don't think they know all the facts in this matter? You cannot tell me that Joe Peterno would miliciously be involved in some type of coverup OR approve of this type of behavior from anyone. this whole thing makes me sad. Sad for many but why point fingers at Joe like he could have solved or stopped anything? He is one man.
ReplyDeletefirst off, please learn how to spell - maliciously.
ReplyDeleteSecond, you dont need others to know that sexual abuse of children is a crime.
That's why people are demanding that he retire. He has shown he lacks basic judgement.
Paterno, knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it. That's why people are calling for him to retire. Yes, legally he filled his obligations, but children were still hurt under his watch, and he allowed it to happen. Joe Paterno is the biggest and most influential person on the Penn State campus, he is much more than one person. If he had put his foot down, changes would have been made.
ReplyDeleteLets focus on who did the damn crime....forget about Joe he is done OK! Lets focus on the jerk who needs to pay for his crimes.
ReplyDeleteEverybody needs to, first of all, quit looking at "Joe Pa" as the culprit. You think because he's the Coach, he should be locked up, and throw away the key. Lets put it into perspective, Coach Joe is 83 yrs old, how sharp do you think your mind would be a 83. These men took advantage of Coach Joe's trust, as well as not respecting the fact that he's 83. Coach Joe made so many contributions to college football, Penn state. Before you get ready to condem Coach Joe for someone else's indescressions. Coach Joe had a very hard time believing these men would commit such an act. Coach Joe has earned the right to go out in honor. Dont take 46 yrs of love and respect for the game of college football, and blemish it for something Coach Joe didn't do, Coach Joe is hurt enough. Broken trust, and totally heart broken over these young boys being abused. My father is 83 yrs old, in a hospital as we speak, doesn't know anyone, the Dr's told us at 3:00 today, to take him home, between family and hospice, make his life as confortable as possible with what little time he has left. Let Coach Joe go out with what he deserves, "A Coach among Coaches, a Winner"...
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