By now I am sure that all of you have heard the stories of what allegedly happened in the locker room of Penn State University’s football team. Maybe you have read the Grand Jury testimony that goes into explicit detail of what Jerry Sandusky is said to have done to what is believed to have been a 10 year old boy. I am not going to go into detail about the alleged abuse. Nobody needs to read or hear this detail again.
What I would like to point out is that this story is truly not about football. I do realize that Penn State football has a cult-like following. I actually feel very sorry for Joe Paterno, as it is sad to see his storied career ended by, and maybe ultimately overshadowed by, these crimes. In all reality, whether you believe he should’ve done more or not, he did what he was required to do. But that is not what this story is about.
What seems to be continuously forgotten in the media is that this is a story of an alleged sexual predator and about 9 children who were abused. This is about a man who is said to have used his power and prestige to exploit boys who looked at him as a mentor. This is about a “coach” who is charged with 40 counts of perverse crimes against his students. Why has Jerry Sandusky been allowed to virtually hide from the wrath of the public and the media when he is the true villain (alleged – just to cover my bases) in this case?
I know that Tim Curley and Gary Schultz have been charged with Perjury and with Failure to Report the allegations, but I honestly wish they were charged with more. I find it absolutely reprehensible that instead of taking the steps to stop this predator from hurting other children, these men seem to have essentially told him to just do it somewhere else. In their case, unlike in Paterno’s case, they were required to do more. But they appear to have been blinded by the majesty of Penn State football and were more concerned about protecting that team than about the children.
Obviously the football team has been impacted, but is that the part of the story that should captivate the country? This “scandal” reaches FAR beyond football and sports. But yet because of football, the school seems to have knowingly failed to protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community. Penn State football will continue, but these children will never regain their innocence.
It is a tragedy when a child falls victim to a sexual crime. When this tragedy could have been prevented it is absolutely incomprehensible. If found guilty Curley, Schultz, and especially Jerry Sandusky, should receive punishment to the full extent of the law. And I think everyone knows what other prisoners tend to think of child molesters in their midst. It really sucks to be at the bottom of the food chain in prison – I’m just saying.
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