Having won 409 games with Penn State, Head coach Joe Paterno has become one of the most respected coaches in history.  Now, much of the respect has been lost after it was revealed that Paterno allegedly failed to report an incident involving a former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, to law enforcement after he had knowledge of Sandusky sexually abusing innocent children.

Sandusky met many of his victims through the charity for under privileged children, which he founded in 1977. Sandusky would allow the children from the charity to stay in his home; he would take them to football games, and accompany them around the football stadium.

Mike McQueary, a 28-year-old graduate assistant, witnessed firsthand Sandusky sexually abusing a little boy in the showers of the locker rooms. He did indeed stop the act and reported it to Paterno the following day. However, that same night that he witnessed the act he called his father to ask about what he should do. His father gave him the completely wrong advice by saying that McQueary shouldn’t say anything.  As a 28-year-old adult, McQueary should already have known what to do.

In this particular situation, the team and their record, Sandusky’s career, Paterno’s career, or what the media and fans may think shouldn’t matter: all that matters is those little boys.  As soon as McQueary saw Sandusky with that little boy he should have immediately called the cops.

According to washingtonpost.com, Tim Curly, athletic director, along with Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, were charged with perjury and failing to report suspected child abuse. Paterno, McQueary, and Graham Spanier, Penn State president, were not charged with anything even though they are just as guilty.

Paterno and McQueary both followed the rules and reported this tragedy to their superiors, but never furthered any more action toward Sandusky like the responsible adult would do. Spanier, as the president, allowed for this to continue with not even a glance at the situation. Fortunately, he was fired.

Paterno knew the whole time that Sandusky was bringing in young children to the locker rooms, but yet continued on like he never knew.

According to washingtonpost.com, Sandusky was arrested on Nov. 5 and charged with 40 counts of child sexual abuse, stemming from alleged actions over 15 years with boys he met through his charitable foundation.

From all those years, all of those helpless children will be scarred for life from getting sexually abused when they were young. They were old enough to know what has been done to them and that it was wrong, but at the time, they were not old enough to know how to handle it and if they should tell someone.

Every time they hear someone talk about football, see people playing football,  see a football game on TV, get invited to or attend a football game, they are only one this is going to flash back in their minds.

However, Paterno, McQueary, Spanier should be held accountable with charges of failing to report sexual abuse of children. There is absolutely no excuse that would be acceptable as to why they shouldn’t have followed up.  One may argue that Paterno hadn’t made his career yet as a football coach, but that seems laughable compared to a ruined childhood.

Sandusky’s previous daughter in law even got a restraining order against him for his three grandchildren. Jill Jones, who was once married to Matt Sandusky, went to court to stop the accused pedophile from having access to their two daughters, aged 9 and 7, and one son, aged 5, according to The Daily.

A Grand Jury indictment alleges Sandusky, 67, sexually abused eight boys, some as young as seven, over a 15-year period. After hearing the horrific charges on Nov. 5, Ms. Jones urged her ex-husband to keep the children away from their grandfather, The Daily reported.

Although they personally didn’t have anything to do with Sandusky sexually abusing children they still should feel guilt and responsibility for ruining their lives. They should have a hard time waking up in the morning and facing the day with the thought of being an accomplice with Sandusky.

From this day forward, let’s not turn our backs on wrongdoing. Let’s all take a vow against silence.

Kathie Zarish and Gavin Long do not agree whether Joe Paterno should have been fired. To see Gavin’s reaction, follow the link: https://www.themilfordmessenger.com/opinion/2011/12/14/joe-paterno-unjustly-fired-before-due-process/