Editorial: Penn State Loses The Game of Moral Victory

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1, (King James Version)

For Penn State University, the “good name” so carefully cultivated by legendary football coach Joe Paterno is just a tawdry reminder of how power can corrupt and how the big money behind college football can corrupt an institution’s values.

Former FBI director Louis Freeh’s investigation laid to rest any notion Paterno and three former administrators, including the school’s president, had not conspired to conceal former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of young boys to protect the football program.

But the debate should be about more than whether Paterno’s statue should come down — it probably should, because it’s no longer a symbol of school pride but a shabby example of how money and power corrupt. College football is about big money, lucrative television deals and generous alumni donations — but that’s only if you’re a winner.

This debate should revolve around how out-of-control, big-time college football can intimidate even college presidents and top administrators into not reporting vile crimes against children— all because of fear of bad publicity to a cherished, money-making program.

You can be sure this skewing of institutional values isn’t limited to the Penn State Nittany Lions and Happy Valley.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.