When Bad Turns to Worse at Penn State

photo credit: psu athletics

Watching an “Outside the Lines” report yesterday on ESPN, the topic of discussion was the Penn State case and the recent reports announced by former FBI director Louis Freeh.

CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel was a panelist on the show, and yesterday I agreed 100% with his sentiments on the situation (Rarely do I find myself saying that about Mr. Doyel, ha).

To summarize, Doyel said the NCAA should not take action. As absurd as that sounds at first, think about it. How can you possibly put a number on scholly reductions, bowl bans, or TV time for something like this? This is beyond the jurisdiction of the NCAA. If the NCAA was forced to get involved, the death penalty must happen. Nothing else would do. Nothing.

But, that’s not to say I’m rooting for the death penalty, or that I think it’s the right solution. This is so complicated, there’s not going to be a perfect solution.

It’s not about Penn State losing money or losing boosters or losing recruits if there’s a death penalty. It’s about the Penn State family that has a right to move on, to unite together, to stand tall, and to refuse to back down despite hardship and evil. Mostly, it’s about the victims.

Penn State should have a football season this year. I really believe that. The players and coaches and fans that had nothing to do with Sandusky or Paterno’s actions (or lack thereof) should use this opportunity. Use this opportunity to fight as hard as they can every practice, every down, every game in honor of the victims. In honor of the families of the victims. And to provide good in the midst of so much that is bad.

AnnaHickey
Growing up in Tobacco Road country in Raleigh, NC, sports have always been my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now a student at Clemson University, college sports are a slight obsession. I wake up to Mike and Mike, relax with Phil Steele or Athlon, study listening to a Cowherd podcast, and fall asleep to SportsCenter. I love the Miami Dolphins, Jimmy V, and recruiting. I believe that if you find work that you love to do, you really never have to work a day in your life.