Penn State has drawn me out of the shadows to make a comment. The sanctions came down today from the NCAA and a lot of things are up for debate. Were the penalties enough? Were they too much? Should the statue have come down? Should Paterno's name on the library come down? Was the NCAA in the right for even getting involved? And Florida State fans are asking another question: should we celebrate the fact that our own legend has backed into being The Greatest Coach in Division I Football History? Well, I have some thoughts on that.
As for justice in Happy Valley and all that that entails, let's ask some simple questions: First, what was done wrong? I have heard a lot of talk on this subject for the last couple of days, and boiling down all the various points of view through my own lens, I feel thusly: In the end, a lot of very powerful people covered up horrible acts. Willfully or not, whatever you believe, this terrible thing was done. But why? Why would these powerful men hide such tragedy from the world? There is only one reason, and that is that Penn State wanted to avoid the sure backlash of NCAA sanctions and recruiting nightmares that would come with the public revelation of a pederast in their midst. In that sense, there seems very little difference between what Penn State has done and what SMU did. Both broke rules in order to gain a competitive advantage. In Penn State's case they were trying to AVOID a competitive DISADVANTAGE, but what's the difference? Sure, what Sandusky did, while terrible, had nothing to do with the football program. But that is not what the NCAA is punishing. They are punishing the inaction and active cover-up that took place surrounding Sandusky and his horrible actions, and that inaction and active cover-up was done to give competitive advantage. Thus, had the NCAA shut football down at Penn State, I would not have been outraged.
But on the other hand, the people who did those tragically negligent and criminally dishonest things are all gone. They have all been fired, never to hold positions of such prestige again. In fact, amid all this talk of the death penalty, they actually DID give JoePa the death penalty. Without the purpose of his calling he was gone in no time. In short, the people who deserved punishing have been punished, and will continue to be through the civil court system. Them and the university. So what purpose does it serve to punish those who have no connection to this tragedy whatsoever besides geography? It seems very Law of Hammurabi to cripple a for-all-intents-and-purposes new football program and university for the sins of one now gone. Comparisons to SMU are not applicable, at least not to me. What another NCAA did to another school at another time is irrelevant. The NCAA is not a government, God knows. I can understand the cries of many who claim they have no place in all this. Where were THEY in 1998 when Sandusky was being investigated by the PA district attorney? Either completely oblivious or willfully negligent like everyone else. Either way it is unforgivable, yet here they are passing judgement. But who else? Who else to come up with what is appropriate? I could write 5000 words railing against the very existence of the NCAA in a heartbeat, but that's who is there now, and it's all we have. And not only that, but they seem to have found a pretty decent middle ground between the Nittany zealots who are still convinced that virtually no wrong-doing was committed by anyone outside Sandusky and the witch-hunters who want salt sowed in the earth in Happy Valley. So, whatever their foibles, they seem to have got it somewhat right, and that matters right here and now, unlike what some other NCAA did to some other school for some other transgression.
So there it is. There are arguments for both cases, scorched earth and mercy for the innocent, have merit, and out of all of it, the flawed, hopeless NCAA seems to have found a decent balance between the two.
Now all that's left is the implications for us Noles. Take it easy, wouldya? I am going to let ColeHoop help me deal with this part of it. This is a text exchange we had today:
Phatty Rob: Is Bobby number 1 again?
ColeHoop: Yes he is!
PR: Sweeeet. I'm torn though. I want to celebrate this fact, but I think that may be crass...
CH: I'm right there with you. I've seen way too many FSU fans being far too jubilant for my taste. Although it does feel good to know that Bobby, who was a saint to and for so many people is now king, as opposed to the coward JoePa.
Whether he was a coward, a loyal friend with no judgement (best case) or a cheating, lying, deceitful bastard, he is out and we are in. But come on, guys. Chill out. For those of us lucky enough to be at the Wake game in 2003, when Bobby took the crown, take that memory with you and enjoy it. Otherwise, be confident in the knowledge that Bobby is Number 1 without celebrating it. This is not how he wanted it to come, how we wanted it to come. But we have it, and we'll take it. Use it hence whenever anyone starts debating about great coaches. Have a few beers in honor of our great man in the next couple days. But do not parade around, do not rub it in faces. Gracious in this most unsavory of victories we must be.
Strangely, in all of this chaos, things are now, quite buddhistly, as they should be. Even while the sadness and suffering continues.
