Perception

Perception fuels reality.  This is something that most people know but don't realize it.  The point was made in the movie American President where Martin Sheen tells Michael Douglas that in today's world no one would elect a President in a wheelchair.  You see it in your grocery store every week where prices are $3.49 instead of $3.50 just for that perception that it is cheaper.  And we see it all this week at Penn State.  Perception ruled the roost at Penn State and cost people their jobs.

Before I get too far down this road, make no mistake, everyone who lost their jobs deserved to, up to and including Joe Paterno.  They failed in their moral duty to do something about Sandusky when the allegations came to light and chose to sweep it under the rug.  But why did they sweep it under the rug, because they were worried about the perception the allegations would create.

One man allegedly sexually assaulted young boys.  This man was a coach at Penn State.  Penn State as an institution did not commit these acts.  Joe Paterno did not condone or commit these acts.  But everyone was so worried about being painted with that brush, with people seeing them as the college of pedophiles that instead of investigating and turning evidence over to the police, they tried to just make it go away.  Swift and decisive action years ago may have been a blight on the university for a few years but they would still be Penn State and they would get past it.  Now its worse and will leave scars that may never heal.

JoePa did not deserve to go out this way.  His accomplishments as a college football coach make him one of the best to ever walk the sidelines.  He should have been able to leave under his own terms.  Now he is tarnished.  People will fail to see JoePa the old curmudgeon on the sidelines guiding young football players to stardom and will instead see the coach Paterno who just followed the party line and didn't stand up for what was right.  Perception and the concerns over perception brought down a legend and only time will tell what it does to the legendary program in once-Happy Valley.