A portion of the memorial honoring the 50-year anniversary of Joe Paterno’s first win as Penn State coach on September 17, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
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This is no surprise, considering the reaction those outside the Penn State bubble had when they learned earlier this month the school had planned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first game Paterno coached and on September 17, 1966.
Former players were in town for the game and got an opportunity to gather on Friday night to celebrate Paterno’s life.
Penn State’s Chris Godwin (12) takes it in for a touchdown after a catch against Temple during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. Penn State opted to honor the “impact to student-athletes” of Paterno, who was sacked in 2011 amid the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.
A fan protests the celebration of Paterno. One red-lettered sign read: “He turned his back”. He finished his coaching career with 409 victories, but was sacked on the heels of Sandusky being arrested for child sexual abuse. He was never charged in connection with the Sandusky cases, but court records indicate that at least one alleged victim said the coach had failed to take action after being told about his assistant’s behavior.
Freeh’s report was issued in July of 2012, six months after Paterno’s death from lung cancer.
“I do appreciate that [Penn State is] doing something”, said Franco Harris, a former Nittany Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers player who has vocally supported Paterno in the past.
“He was determined to bring to Penn State students who could earn a world-class education and graduate and play football at the highest level”.
Andre Robinson spelled Barkley and scored on a 3-yard run before McSorley beat Temple defenders to the pylon to put Penn State up 21-7. Court documents released this summer revealed Paterno may have been aware of the sexual abuse for nearly four decades before Sandusky was brought to trial.
Paterno, who placed an emphasis on academics, is a source of pride for some Penn Staters. He was subsequently sentenced to 30-60 years in prison.
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Former players and alumni also left dozens of bricks to symbolize the wall that was demolished behind the Paterno statue.
