NCAA Football

Here’s The Statement From Joe Paterno’s Family Regarding The Removal Of The Statue

by Dylan Murphy | 11:09 am, July 22nd, 2012

Joe Paterno’s family will defend his name to the end, as is expected, so when news broke that his statue had been removed from outside Beaver Stadium, we knew that they wouldn’t remain quiet for long. Here’s their most recent statement, which peddles its longstanding claim that the Paterno investigation is far from over and that the truth will eventually come to light and restore his good name.

“Tearing down the statue of Joe Paterno does not serve the victims of Jerry Sandusky’s horrible crimes or help heal the Penn State community. We believe the only way to help the victims is to uncover the full truth.

The Freeh report, though it has been accepted by the media as the definitive conclusion on the Sandusky scandal, is the equivalent of an indictment – a charging document written by a prosecutor — and an incomplete and unofficial one at that. To those who truly want to know the truth about Sandusky, it should matter that Joe Paterno has never had a hearing; that his legal counsel has never been able to interview key witnesses, all of whom are represented by lawyers and therefore unavailable; that there has never been an opportunity to review critical evidence which has not been made public; that selective evidence and the opinion of Mr. Freeh is treated as the equivalent of a fair trial.

Despite this obviously flawed and one-sided presentation, the university believes it must acquiesce and accept that Joe Paterno has been given a fair and complete hearing. We think the better course would have been for the university to take a strong stand in support of due process so that the complete truth can be uncovered.

It is not the university’s responsibility to defend or protect Joe Paterno. But they at least should have acknowledged that important legal cases are still pending and that the record on Joe Paterno, the board and other key players is far from complete.

While we agree that tearing down the statue does little for the victims, it’s still a noteworthy symbolic gesture, if anything.

[Centre Daily Times]

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reader123

Dylan, good writing; but, please check your grammar. I think you meant “peddles” not “pedals”…
Dylan Murphy

Gah! Thanks, good catch.
Jrossharwood

Joe did as I remember pass the information on up to people over him as required. He did not see the acts and was getting it second hand. He did as required to report it to those who had the power to check it out and take action. This is starting to stink like some of the people at university is looking punish anyone they can in the sports programs. The family should demand all support to Penn state be stopped until a full and fair hearing be held to let all the facts out and open to question.
braindance

Calling his actions a “mistake” is ludicrous, he didn’t drop a pie, he intentionally hid information and lied about children being raped so he could carry on as he was without causing problems.