Cage The Lions in Jail

Over the weekend, word got out on a developing story regarding the Penn State football program. I wish we were talking about play for pay, booster cash, ineligible players or academic fraud, etc. We are not. Unfortunately, this story, despicable in every aspect, involves a betrayal of moral behavior we hold dear, the innocence and protection of our children.

Former Nittany Lion Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been indicted on felony sex abuse charges involving minors, with the indictment covering 40 counts. Sadly, the activities of Sandusky have been going on for quite some time.

Sandusky retired from Penn State in 1999, and now we know this was in the aftermath of an incident involving potential child sex abuse. Sandusky, who wrote an autobiography titled "Touched", kept an office at Penn State to run his "The Second Mile" Children's Charity.

As information comes to light on the events that led up to Sandusky's arrest, it appears administration officials at Penn State at a minimum failed to recognize the severity of the crimes and alert the proper authorities. This sadly includes Joe Paterno.

Athletic Director Tim Curley and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz were hit with a count of perjury each, and both have reportedly resigned. This is the beginning of what should be a house cleaning of the entire administration, which should also include the University President Graham Spanier. Joe Paterno also must go, for he obviously cannot adequately supervise the football program given the events that have come to light.

Spencer Hall of SB Nation makes the case those involved failing to act with moral responsibility regarding the actions of Sandusky.

It would be great if this were all a bad dream and none of this happened, and while nobody has been convicted of anything at this point, as it is, this story makes everyone reading about it sick. It appears, due to the negligence of Penn State officials, the abuse of additional victims could have been prevented but was not.

You can read much about the story on the above referenced links, but the reputation of Penn State University, enhanced greatly over the years by the football program ran by legendary Coach Joe Paterno, may be tarnished beyond repair.

If these allegations are proven true, Sandusky should be fortunate to see another sunset. Everyone else who knowingly participated in this cover-up should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Sadly, the lives of the victims are forever negatively altered, with more incidents potentially to emerge.

For Penn State University, and its once highly respected football program, the long road to recovery should begin with everyone associated with this story being fired before Nebraska visits Un-Happy Valley this Saturday.