Penn State fans are trying their hardest to rebuild late football coach Joe Paterno’s reputation.
It’s been well-established that assistant Jerry Sandusky molested multiple young boys during Paterno’s tenure — with or without the head coach’s knowledge — but some residents of Happy Valley will not rest until the Paterno mystique is re-established. The latest effort is something called a “Joe-Out.”
It’s not entirely clear what a “Joe-Out” would entail, but it’s the brainchild of devoted PSU alumni, according to the Centre Daily (Pa.) Times. Presumably, it would be something like the popular “black-outs” and “white-outs” at college stadiums across the country, only with thick-lensed glasses and khaki pants rather than monochrome T-shirts.
The Nittany Lions (3-0) host UMass (0-3) this Saturday.
“He will forever stand as a great founder of our university, shoulder to shoulder with Atherton, Beaver, Pattee, Sparks and more,” alumnus Susan Beth Wilson told the Times, listing influential individuals in Penn State’s history. “There will be other coaches, other presidents, other trustees and great men in Penn State’s future, but that does not mean we should forget this one man, who made Penn State great. My family and I eagerly await the future — but we will never forget to honor Joe.”
An independent investigation into the Sandusky scandal concluded Paterno might have helped conceal facts related to Sandusky’s sexual abuse of young boys, though a state prosecutor said no evidence could be found that the coach participated in a cover-up.
The NCAA initially levied a $60 million fine and a four-year bowl ban, vacated Penn State’s 112 wins between 1998 and 2011, and took away 40 scholarships over a four-year span. The bowl ban and scholarship restrictions were lifted earlier this month “due to … significant progress toward ensuring its athletic department functions with integrity,” the NCAA said.
Photo via Matthew O’Haren/USA TODAY Sports Images
