Penn State’s decision to honor controversial late Coach Joe Paterno during its game against Temple on Saturday evoked mixed reaction, with Nittany Lions fans giving standing ovations while Temple fans and others protested by turning their backs to the field.
Advertisement
The pre-game salute will come during the Nittany Lions game against Temple and will mark the 50 anniversary of Paterno’s first game as head coach, Penn State’s Collegian newspaper reported, citing the athletic department.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Organizers of a private reunion for football players coached by Joe Paterno will provide their own security for the Friday night event, Penn State spokesman Ben Manning said.
Penn State will have revenge on its mind when the Temple arrives at Beaver Stadium for Saturday’s noon kickoff after the Owls’ (1-1) 27-10 thrashing of the Nittany Lions (1-1) to open the 2015 season.
“Whether Penn State is right or wrong in honoring the late coach is going to be unknown for as long as we don’t know how right or wrong Paterno was in his involvement with the Sandusky scandal, and that could be a very long time”. “Together with his wife, Sue, they helped countless students become leaders and earn a Penn State diploma”.
At Penn State, however, Paterno is still revered.
The decision to honor Paterno, who, according to an investigation conducted by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, attempted to cover up a 2001 child abuse allegation along with others on his coaching staff, is being criticized by victims’ advocates.
He said his opinion of Paterno, who coached at Penn State for 46 years, remains unchanged. Although he left the game with a left leg injury on the first play, running back Saquon Barkley returned in the second half and ended Temple’s comeback bid with a 55-yard touchdown run with less than eight minutes to play. He held a sign that read, “You forgot already”.
Former players and alumni also left dozens of bricks to symbolize the wall that was demolished behind the Paterno statue.
That protester, Robert Hoatson, said he drove from New Jersey and had protested at Penn State before.
Sandusky was convicted in June 2012 on 45 of 48 charges and is serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence.
Advertisement
In May, unsealed court documents revealed that a man said he complained to Paterno about sexual abuse by Sandusky in 1976 but was rebuffed. Penn State leads the time of possession 17:34 to 12:26 for the Owls. “It’s a good first step”. 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.
