Let me just start this blog by saying this:
In light of all of the Sandusky nonsense that has been going on, I am still proud to say that I am a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University.
Penn State was my home for four of the best years of my life and there is absolutely nothing that anyone can say to tarnish that.
With that being said, I am extremely appalled and disgusted at what was going on behind the scenes of the football program that was being run by Jerry Sandusky. Those children will forever have their lives ruined because of what he put them through. I am equally saddened by the fact that a man I genuinely looked up to as a hero knew about the abuse that was going on and said nothing.
If you are a graduate of Penn State University, then you will undoubtedly agree that Joe Paterno was revered as a “football god.” For those that were not on the football team, a Joe Pa sighting was like seeing Brad Pitt. So for his name to be completely tarnished now because of a poor decision on his part, it’s sad. However whatever punishment against his name is unfortunate, yet well deserved. The football team, on the other hand, should not suffer for what their coaches did.
All 111 victories that Joe Paterno was responsible for have now been voided and erased from the record books. For the next 4 year, the PSU football team won’t be able to play in any bowls either, and I think this is completely UNFAIR.
Unfair to the players who worked their asses off to win those games and get those titles. It’s unfair to the new group of kids who came to play and have no championships to ever look forward to. It’s unfair to the alumni like me that were there to witness these wins. And lastly, it’s unfair to the people who lost to Penn State, because let’s be honest, a win based off a default is not a win at all. Damn, what happened to just getting an asterisk next to our victories like they do in the Major Leagues?
Joe Paterno’s statue was removed from in front of Beaver Stadium. A stadium where I have watched countless game victories take place. To now tell me that those victories mean nothing is erroneous and disrespectful to the legacy that was built on the backs of the students and the players.
Penn State is a football school and I understand that the administration should be made an example of. I understand the fines, I understand the statue removal, but to take away something that so many people worked for when they had nothing to do with what I am calling “Sandusky-gate,” is unfair and unjust.
At this point, a decision was made and I understand that “it is what it is.” But what I can’t understand is why we as alumni, the players and even the current students are being punished for what one very sick individual did and for what another individual covered up. All I can do now is shake my head and remember all of the good times, because at this point, with everything being stripped away, that’s all we have. We Still Are.
-Jason Brooks
