Farewell to Joe Paterno

Yesterday was the first game Penn State played without Joe Paterno as their head coach since 1966.  It was the school’s senior’s day and Paterno was not in attendance due to the decision made by Penn State to fire their head coach.  The outraged fans still attended the game and cheered for Joe even though he was not there.  Penn State played their hardest for Joe but went on to lose the game 17 to 14 to Nebraska. 

When first hearing about this situation, I was disgusted by Sandusky.  It is so disturbing what he did to those kids.  Mike McQueary, Penn State assistant coach, witnessed an incident between Sandusky and a little boy in the Penn State locker room.  He reported it to Joe Paterno and according to Paterno; he brought it up to the Penn State Athletic Director.  Later this week, Penn State announced that after parting ways with their AD, they were going to fire head coach Joe Paterno.

Fans and other sports fans were quick to rip the decision of the school to get rid of Paterno.  Many of these people picture Joe Paterno as an innocent old man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.  However, what about those children that Sandusky molested?  We have to think about the victims of these acts.  Although I agree that Paterno did not do anything wrong, he could have done more.  I also did not like that Penn State did fire Paterno.  He meant too much to that school and NCAA football.  I understand why they did but He deserves a better way to go out.

As for McQueary, I don’t understand how he was not punished as severely as coach Paterno.  He witnessed an act in which he should have brought to the attention of the police.  If anyone is in any trouble besides Sandusky, it should have been Mike McQueary. 

As the season will go on, Penn State will have to play without their leader, Joe Paterno.  They will be in the spotlight for the rest of the season and will have that buzz set around them about these terrible incidents.  As for the victims, I hope their future is an easy one.  These kids and their families did not deserve this at all.  These were innocent kids who looked at Sandusky as their friend.  We pray that they are okay and that they live a good life.

What do you think?  Was Penn State’s decision to fire head coach Joe Paterno the right decision?  Let me know in the comment section!