The Tragedy of Compromise
The Tragedy of Compromise
On November 19, 1949 a young man strode on to a college campus in rural Pennsylvania. He was the newly appointed football coach. Over the next six decades his name and the school’s name became almost became synonymous as he, Joe Paterno, became the winningest coach in the history of college football, and the school, Penn State University, became a dominant regional and national athletic powerhouse.
That fame, glory, and amazing record all came crashing down a couple of weeks ago as it was revealed that one of JoePa’s ( Paterno’s name in the Penn State community) assistant coaches had allegedly been engaging in child abuse, for decades. Some of the alleged activity even taking place within the Penn State athletic facilities.
What makes this sad and sordid tale a tragedy of compromise is that many people, including JoePa, had been alerted numerous times over the years that something suspicious was taking place, but no one pursued any sort of investigative follow-up. JoePa now admits he could’ve and should’ve done more. These are his own words, “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. I wish I had done more.”
No one is accusing JoePa of being knowingly complicit in these crimes. But because of not doing all he could do to investigate the suspicions at least eight young boys were emotionally and psychologically scarred for life. This is of course the greatest tragedy. But JoePa is also paying a terrible price. His 60 plus year career as the most successful coach in college football history, all the good he did financially and otherwise for Penn State and the Penn State family over all those decades will now forever be overshadowed by this tragic lapse of judgment.
At 84 JoePa is coming to the end of his earthly race. As he nears the finish, giving the impression to himself and all the spectators that he is about to finish strong it comes to light that somewhere back on the course he stepped outside line, committed a foul and disqualified himself. His 409 victories on the gridiron will stay in the record books, but his reputation will never be what it could’ve been. As a headline on the cover of the 11/21/11 “Sports Illustrated” stated,
“The Paterno Legacy – He can’t get it back”.
Fellow Mountain Taker, let’s finish strong. Make no room for compromise in your race.
Tags: Compromise, The Tragedy of