What do you think about the breadth of reactions to Paterno's death?

He wasn’t god. He was a man, a successful man in the college football world, and for that he should be remembered and honored.

He also made some pretty stupid management decisions that have only now come to light. That doesn’t take away his football achievements, which are significant, but it doesn’t excuse his management.

Like all of us, he was a complicated and flawed human being. He was not the embodiment of evil, but he was not a saint either.

Any description of him as horribly evil is wrong. But any description of him as saint-like is similarly wrong.

This story is a microcosm of humanity to the extent that it takes the whole of life to reveal a life. We are all flawed but carry the potential for good and evil and it is only what we actually do, not intend to do that counts. Football is big business just as is even church these days. This means that people are secondary to success which of course is wrong. Predatorship has accomplices in any of us who sit back and refuse to “see.” The fact that this story came out at the close of his life was meant I believe as a time of grace where he could publicly ask forgiveness for his part. That was the opportunity.

He was treated so unfairly. From many of the news articles from 3 months ago, you would think Paterno was a child molester, rather than someone who didn’t follow up with a phonecall after he passed the buck.
I said exactly that 3 months ago.

I am not surprised. Joe Paterno was a larger-than-life symbol of an era, of a football program, of a university.

Basically, at heart he was a good man.

It was sad that his career was tarnished by unwillingness to take a stand.

It seems like there are few people who hold him responsible for the abuse scandal. I think he said he wished he had gone further than just reporting it to his bosses. I think he was probably sincere in that wish. I don’t think he was just trying to make up for letting his fans down. I think he really was concerned about the kids that Sandusky hurt.

I think he was used as a fall guy by the PSU administration and I don’t think he was treated fairly. But the Administration got canned, too. Sad.

Will anyone in the country learn how to handle these problems any better as as result of what happened at Penn State? I doubt it. I don’t think anyone will be proactive and teach people what to do when they see child abuse. I just don’t think we can face it, as a society.

At this point all I can say is let him rest in peace.

“The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones”. Shakespeare

@flutherother Holy shit, that is an excellent quote.Captures this moment perfectly.

@flutherother I agree with @Adirondackwannabe, perfect for the moment.

I asked this question because I’m intrigued by the variety of responses to Paterno’s death. Most after-death comments tend to be pretty homogenous, while Paterno’s seem to be all over the spectrum. Some people are using it as a chance to further their own agendas, while others focus on his accomplishments. Some comments seem to be critical, others neutral, while others seem to be directed towards some kind of market/group.

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts!