Articles
Life Lessons From The Penn State Scandal
Most are aware of the pedophilia scandal that has rocked Penn State University and severely mangled the heretofore spotless reputation of legendary coach Joe Paterno. There are so many practical lessons in this pathetic episode that it justifies further attention.
The vileness of sin
What Jerry Sandusky is accused of doing to children in his charge over a period of years demonstrates profound baseness. While it is true that all sin incurs divine guilt, certain forms of evil are especially heinous in respect to the damage they do to others, in the level of cruelty to the innocent and the degree of unmitigated selfishness they display. Surely this is an example of those “who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Eph. 4:19). Left unchecked, sin knows no bounds.
The lack of moral courage
Mike McQueary, an athletics department graduate assistant, witnessed an assault in progress by Sandusky against a 10-year-old boy in 2002. According to his grand jury testimony, rather than confronting Sandusky, McQueary went home, told his dad what he witnessed and then informed Paterno the next day.
How can this happen? The message is pounded into us daily: Don’t judge; live and let live; don’t get involved, etc. These messages encourage moral weakness. Perhaps McQueary was afraid of Sandusky’s stature as a close associate of Paterno. Whatever the excuse, we cannot become so detached and indifferent -- or afraid -- to defend the helpless. Queen Esther’s words of resolve when taking a stand for her Jewish countrymen: “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16).
The sin of omission
Paterno’s guilt in this scandal is not of overtly doing something wrong -- or commission -- but of neglecting to do what was morally incumbent upon him to do -- or omission. Paterno informed two superiors of the allegations and then dropped the matter -- no follow-up, no serious sanction against Sandusky, no removal of a pedophile from access to children.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said this about Paterno’s failure: "When you don't follow through, when you don't make sure actions were taken, that would make me lose confidence in your ability to lead, and that's the case here." “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). This passage speaks of allowing worldly concerns to distract us from making godly choices.
Personal favoritism
What seems to pervade this seamy story is personal favoritism that blinded all parties to the right course of action. Sandusky was a valued associate of Paterno. Did Paterno fail to diligently follow up on the accusations against a friend? Paterno’s superiors who were aware of the allegations, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president of business and finance Gary Schultz, have been indicted for perjury. They lied to a grand jury in an attempt to protect Sandusky -- and perhaps by extension Paterno’s reputation.
People sacrifice values for the sake of another person to reap certain benefits of association with that person. It is essentially selfish. Paterno has won more college football games than any other head coach. He has been known as a man of extreme integrity. Indeed, his name and reputation is the very “brand” of Penn State. So, it appears the principals involved were willing to sacrifice children’s well-being in order to protect an image. God is no such respecter of persons.
Reputation
“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor” (Ecc. 10:1). “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1). Paterno’s name was to be on the Big 10 trophy along with Amos Alonzo Stagg. The Stagg-Paterno Championship Trophy now will be known as the Stagg Championship Trophy.
The president of Penn State has been fired; the president of the charity founded by Sandusky and from which his victims came has resigned. The shock waves continue to rock many who previously enjoyed good reputations. Every situation demands our utmost effort to do the right thing lest we suffer the catastrophic failures that we see in this case.
Regret
Paterno’s frail assessment of his actions: “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more." Of course, hindsight is 20/20. But decisions must be made in the present based on what is right and how they might impact a yet-unknown future.
Let us behave in a godly fashion. Let us not put men above morals. Let us not think so highly of ourselves that we cannot fall. Make the choice today that will allow you to live with yourself tomorrow.
