Penn State University’s statue of legendary football coach Joe Paterno was removed from campus Sunday morning in the wake of an investigation that harshly criticized Paterno for failing to take action in the sex abuse case of his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky.
Penn State president Rodney Erickson issued a statement shortly before the statue was removed that said, “Coach Paterno’s statue has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing in our university and beyond. For that reason, I have decided that it is in the best interest of our university and public safety to remove the statue and store it in a secure location.”
The bronze statue, an image of Paterno running out of the locker room with his players in tow, was toppled onto its side and is being carried out by a forklift.
In response to the statue’s removal, Paterno’s family issued this statement: “Tearing down the statue of Joe Paterno does not serve the victims of Jerry Sandusky’s horrible crimes or help heal the Penn State Community. We believe the only way to help the victims is to uncover the full truth.”
The statement goes on to say that Paterno never had a hearing, and only selective evidence has been made public. The Freeh report, Paterno’s family says, is not the equivalent of a fair trial, although it has been accepted by the media as the definitive conclusion on the Sandusky scandal.
“It is not the University’s responsibility to defend or protect Joe Paterno. But they at least should have acknowledged that important legal cases are still pending and that the record on Joe Paterno, the Board and other key players is far from complete,” the statement reads.
Several fans of the late coach showed up with their rally cry, chanting, “We are Penn State.”
ABC News Radio contributed to this report.
i guess paterno is learning from the grave that covering up molestations to preserve the integrity of penn state was an exercise in futility. eventually the stain was to come out in the wash. just a matter of time. paterno's family needs to overcome the denial. jopa knew about it and did nothing.
On the surface it appears to be somewhat unwarranted to do something so humiliaing to someone who was never convicted of anything. When you consider the years of abuse and cover-up of the crimes of Catholic priests that finally came to light it puts things in a better perspective.
I don't think PSU could have done anything else. They would have been forced to remove it at some point.
On the surface it appears to be somewhat unwarranted to do something so humiliaing to someone who was never convicted of anything. When you consider the years of abuse and cover-up of the crimes of Catholic priests that finally came to light it puts things in a better perspective.
I don't think PSU could have done anything else. They would have been forced to remove it at some point.
paterno goes from most victories for a college coach to number 8 after they strip him of the game wins. bobby bowden is now number one, but bobby said that he'll always know joe won more.
everyone at penn state were only concerned with their own butts and the reputation of penn state. where did that get them? they should have just done the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. paterno could have reported the incident and probably lost his job. but he would have been heralded as a hero putting the needs of the abused above his own. and he would have easily received several job offers to boot. but he decided to ignore the problem even though it was ongoing. now his entire career has been tainted forever.
lesson of the day....you lay down with dogs, and you'll get fleas.
paterno goes from most victories for a college coach to number 8 after they strip him of the game wins. bobby bowden is now number one, but bobby said that he'll always know joe won more.
everyone at penn state were only concerned with their own butts and the reputation of penn state. where did that get them? they should have just done the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. paterno could have reported the incident and probably lost his job. but he would have been heralded as a hero putting the needs of the abused above his own. and he would have easily received several job offers to boot. but he decided to ignore the problem even though it was ongoing. now his entire career has been tainted forever.
lesson of the day....you lay down with dogs, and you'll get fleas.
Yep.
I love football and respect the talent it takes to play and win - or coach for that matter.
Paterno covered up an awful disgusting thing as did the those above him.
I agree with those who say it is not fair to the players, but you cannot forget about the victims.
Penn State will be in damage controll mode for years to come.
I love football and respect the talent it takes to play and win - or coach for that matter.
Paterno covered up an awful disgusting thing as did the those above him.
I agree with those who say it is not fair to the players, but you cannot forget about the victims.
Penn State will be in damage controll mode for years to come.
maybe this will help other sports programs considering blowing the whistle on illegal activities but were concerned with the image of the university or college. all they have to ask themselves is, what does penn state's image look like now after covering up?
everyone at penn state were only concerned with their own butts and the reputation of penn state. where did that get them? they should have just done the right thing and let the chips fall where they may. paterno could have reported the incident and probably lost his job. but he would have been heralded as a hero putting the needs of the abused above his own. and he would have easily received several job offers to boot. but he decided to ignore the problem even though it was ongoing. now his entire career has been tainted forever.
There's no way he would have lost his job if he'd reported the first incident, and I'm 95% sure he wouldn't have lost his job even if he'd reported the second incident. Which makes his silence even worse.
There's no way he would have lost his job if he'd reported the first incident, and I'm 95% sure he wouldn't have lost his job even if he'd reported the second incident. Which makes his silence even worse.
penn state was concerned with reputation. if paterno sidestepped his superiors and went to the authorities, he would have broken their chain of command. he wouldn't have been fired because he reported it, but DEFINITELY would have been fired for something else.
as a Penn State Alum i could not be happier. Joe Paterno was arguably the most powerful person in Central PA. With great power comes great responsibilty and Paterno dropped the ball.
as a Penn State Alum i could not be happier. Joe Paterno was arguably the most powerful person in Central PA. With great power comes great responsibilty and Paterno dropped the ball.
What a disgrace.
thank god there are still sensible people in PA. i thought it disparaging to see penn state students protesting the removal of team wins, when there were victims of this coverup that will have to live with the sandusky experience for life. it's just football people.
thank god there are still sensible people in PA. i thought it disparaging to see penn state students protesting the removal of team wins, when there were victims of this coverup that will have to live with the sandusky experience for life. it's just football people.
Joe Paterno Statue Removed at Penn State
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