In recent years, there has been much conflict, controversy, and debate in the world of sports. From sex, money, and drugs, to contract breaching, player lockouts, and morals/ethics practices. The sports industry has had its share of headliners in the past five years. There are many stories that stand out, but for the most part, many share similar characteristics to one another. However, the recent controversy surrounding Penn State University and now former Head Football Coach Joe Paterno has its own unique source of controversy, debate, and moral wrongdoings that will affect the sports industry as a whole legally, morally, and lawfully in both the college and professional level.
After a harsh week of questions and debate about the future of Penn State University, and its football program, the week ended with the end of a coaching legend that will now forever be tarnished. Two top-level university officials were also fired and the university was left seeking answers for all that has transpired from a series crimes taken place on its campus for decades. The story broke out after allegations started swirling about former assistant head coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing young boys while employed at Penn State University. A state grand jury report alleged that Sandusky has over forty charges of sexually abusing young men while at the University. On one account, then graduate assistant Michael McQueary witnessed Sandusky in the football showers fondling a young male. McQueary informed then Head Coach Joe Paterno about what he had seen. Coach Paterno went to the University’s Athletic Director Tim Curly who along with the University’s Senior Vice President Gary Schultz pretty much buried this information in order to save the University’s image, brand, and reputation. By not doing enough to save or prevent more incidents like this from occurring, Paterno, Schultz, and Curly all lost their jobs. Coach Paterno’s firing caused much debate and controversy. Following his firing, there were riots, vandalism crimes, and even a bomb threat for the team’s football game against Nebraska. Seems like these consequences can be attributed to a tort within the moral responsibilities of the University and its officials.
Unlike most sports controversies, this story turns your stomach and hits an emotional button of sympathy for the victims and another button disgust for the precautions and prevention methods not used by the adults in this story. There is no money scandal, illegal benefits, contract disputes, or banned drug use in this particular story, but it hits something harder than those controversial topics, the human rights of our youth and the affects they have within our sports world. Penn State has always been known as a prestigious university and with these shocking events now taking place, this university will now forever be tarnished by an ugly past that was never handled properly. As sports fans, it is easy to forget about the important things besides wins and losses, but in this case, no one wins, there is only loses to share for the University, its officials, and most importantly, the victims.
Check out these related articles to learn more about this sad story and its recent and long term affects:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190504577036924115215192.html
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