Joe Paterno’s Name Being Removed From NIKE Child Care Center Is First of Many Losses for Penn State

The Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal has left America in a collective state of shock and disgust. And Penn State is quickly becoming the focus of all the negativity.

The ugly details of Sandusky's molestation allegations were revealed over the past few months, but the specifics of Penn State's cover up of the case were finally revealed on Thursday.

The scandal stretches far beyond just Sandusky, and further incriminates legendary football coach Joe Paterno in the conspiracy. While Paterno's family continues to fight to clear his name, plenty of others feel Paterno no longer deserves a spot on the lofty pedestal he has been so comfortably resting for so many years.

Nike made that thought a reality on Thursday, as the company announced that Paterno's name would be removed from the child care center at the company's headquarters in Portland, Ore. There is a great deal of shame and dishonor that organically resonates from the scandal alone, but the consequential blows are obviously taking a toll, and deservedly so on the Penn State community.

Nike may be the first to react in such a definitive manner against the school and those involved in the scandal, but they will certainly not be the last. Prospective students, potential football prospects and definitely advertisers are likely to keep their distance from the school and anyone even remotely related to the situation.

The idea of a death penalty for the football program has been tossed around in recent days, and while it is a fairly swift and staunch act on the part of the NCAA it may be necessary to show proper authority and acknowledgment in this circumstance.

Nike founder Phil Knight said in a statement on Thursday that "my love for Joe and his family remains," but his seal of approval certainly doesn't. Nor should it.

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That's 77 years worth of Knicks acquisitions, worth more than $22 million over the next three years. Now, that's what I call a bargain!

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"For him to compare those two teams is not one of the smarter things he ever could have done."

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Shark attack!