Posted on 11/12/2011 10:21:17 AM PST by Third Person
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- The Nebraska and Penn State players gathered at midfield before the game, kneeling together for a long moment in a quiet stadium. Sometimes, the most powerful statements are the simplest. A child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky has rocked Penn State to its core, cost Joe Paterno his job and prompted a week's worth of soul-searching. Saturday's game was a combination of pep rally, cleansing and tribute, fans and players balancing their wish to show love for Penn State and Paterno while also wanting to support victims of abuse. "This has been one of the saddest weeks in the history of Penn State and my heart goes out to those who have been victimized. I share your anger and sorrow," new school president Rod Erickson said in a video played in the first quarter.
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It should be noted that the players aren’t the criminals here. I don’t wish ill to the team - most of them are totally innocent here. What Penn State has *represented* publicly all these years is what most of us would want a college athletic program to be. That one former coach turned out to be evil and others may or may not have tried to cover it up doesn’t make the whole program evil. Shamed, yes, but not evil.
Penn State should live what they aspire to. As should we all. That they slipped and fell doesn’t mean the goals were wrong. It means we’re all flawed and in need of Grace.
Some perhaps. But I think it's more along the lines my 15 year old son presents.
He told me that Penn State was officially off his list, even if they offered him a full ride, because, as he said, "Going through life hearing stale cracks about getting a degree from 'Pedd State' isn't something to look forward to."
BTW, his mother and uncle are Penn State grads.
Brought to an end by slow hand clapping from the crowd.
Guess we know where their priorities are.
As a native Nebraskan I agree, and thank you for mentioning it. Nebraskans view football in the traditional way, not that they aren’t fierce competitors, but it’s still just a game, a source of state pride, and like the Cubs, “there’s always next year” even when the season doesn’t go so well.
Nebraska fans were shocked to have been the recipients of slurs, obscene gestures, and foul language at the first Big 10 game in Madison. Now they have to really wonder what the heck kind of mess they stepped into.
But in the end, they will be respectful even when they are not treated the same way in return. Every NU player lives under the shadow of Bob Devaney and Dr. Tom Osborne, and while they still make mistakes, they own them.
I just heard a short message from the interim President of Penn State. He spoke of restoring trust, honor, and pride - but said not one word about the victims and their families. Penn State, you own this.
It’s all about “protecting the brand” today at Penn State..........they don’t give a crap about the victims....just meaningless token acknowledgments of the victims.
And then he closes with the arrogant rally cry: “We are... Penn State”
Yeah, we know what you are.
PSU has always been one of the more cultish institutions out there. They’re taking it to a new level now.
The players are blameless in this. Let the team play. Punish the guilty, pray for the victims.
I've been noticing that. It sickens me.
From martydom comes nobility, and many in the liberal press now are trying to make martys out of the poor PSU team and fans.
Mark my words: this will come to pass: Spawned by the Marxists and their defenders and enablers in the MSM, a backlash will begin to grow against those (like you and I) who doggedly defend Christian morality against the vile, immoral acts of depravity that happened at Penn State.
There will come a time (soon, I'm thinking) that the liberal MSM will suggest that we should just "let it go." And if we don't, if we still demand accountability for the crimes of humanity that occurred at PSU, then I predict here and now a new word(s) will be entering the vocabulary.
Are you ready...?
PSUphobe. Or PennStatephobe.
When (not if) but when any FReepers out there in FReeperland first discover this new coinage in the media, please FReep me.
That sure is creepy in hindsight. Americans were not supportive of the boy who was molested by Jackson.
Always. Check. Spellcheck.
You hit the nail right on the head. How callous can you get?
I am watching the game.
They showed a shot of people kneeling in front of Paterno’s house praying.
That was wicked weird.
They are praying for his soul no doubt.
One of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen.
ESPN’s coverage has been terrible. They’re trying to make a martyr out of Paterno. For God’s sake he participated in the cover up. He knew what Sandusky did and didn’t go to the cops. I bet the interim coach, Bradley, knew what Sandusky did. Why didn’t ESPN ask Bradley if he knew of Sandusky’s predatory activities?
And why is Paterno's son coaching, too?
No matter what PSU does, it will be criticized at this point - much deserved, but much of mob mentality.
I’m proud of the team that is showing up to play today, despite the lousy situation they did not create.
To his credit, he seemed creeped out by it too.
“...I still LOVE PSU!”
why?
This is a real shame that the game went on today.
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