On Penn State
When the NCAA first announced the sanctions against Penn State University’s football program, I felt that they struck a fair balance between punishing the school for its complicity and not punishing football players who had no knowledge of the situation.
I no longer believe that because of the sheer number of Penn State students and alumni who have spoken up on this issue. I have listened to what they have to say, and their sincere, passionate statements have convinced me that that this is a community which has been so thoroughly and deeply indoctrinated with “Football Uber Alles” that they lack any sense of morality whatsoever.
These young men and women aren’t outraged that their school knowingly aided and abetted the rape of dozens of young children. Instead, they’re outraged — to the point of violent rioting — that their school got caught. They’re outraged that their beloved sports program is being held accountable for its direct complicity. They’re outraged that the “legacy” of a man who knowingly enabled a pedophile prey on the innocent is being “tarnished”. They’re outraged that a culture of collaboration which puts even the infamous “Blue Code of Silence” to shame is being brought to light and dealt with.
Their outrage damns them.
I now believe that Penn State got off too easy. The NCAA should have imposed an indefinite death penalty, totally barring the school from any participation whatsoever in NCAA football until such time as a panel of independent arbitrators agrees that their attitude has fundamentally changed and placing all of their other NCAA programs on close supervision.
Every time I read the words “innocent kids are suffering/paying the price” being used to describe the students/athletes…
