Joe Paterno looked like my grandpa.
He always did. The big glasses and stern expression that melted into a smile so often. That’s how I knew him for years. After my mom lost her father when I was in eighth grade, we would watch the Nittany Lions and say, “hey grandpa” whenever JoePa was on TV. I was a closeted Penn State fan because Paterno looked like my grandpa, and like Grandpa Vic, he was a good man.
That was the hardest part for me when the Sandusky news broke. I did not know who Jerry Sandusky was, and I found his actions absolutely disgusting. Just another pervert terrorizing young men and ruining their lives, I thought. It was heartbreaking, but unfortunately on par with other scandals I had heard about growing up.
But, as more victims came forward and the magnitude of this issue became apparent, questions began to surface about the involvement of university officials and other coaches, namely Paterno, in covering up Sandusky’s crimes. I could not believe it and I still don’t accept the notion that he knew. It may seem irrational, but my mom and I had created a strange attachment to this man, and were devastated to think he could have taken part in hiding something so awful. We always say he died from heartbreak.
In terms of Sara Ganim’s work, I was shocked and grateful for her honesty. Explicitly stating the ways in which Sandusky abused his victims makes some of these stories difficult to read, but it was important for her to do so. As she stated, Sandusky was revered as a god in the eyes of Penn State fans and vague accusations of “abuse” would have likely been brushed off. I think this is a delicate balance with any controversial story. Also, what’s with the DA disappearing and being declared dead? I’d like to hear more of that story.