Harrison: At What Cost, Penn State?

Phil Harrison's thought on the Penn State findings.

Phil Harrison
Harrison: At What Cost?

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The Freeh report is out, and things are not so happy in the valley. Since the Jerry Sandusky news broke we were all reminded to be patient, and not to jump to aggressive judgements. We were told that once the legal due course occurred we’d know the real story. We were told that an impartial review would show this sordid tale for what it really was.

So some of us waited, didn’t rush to judgement and reacted solely on the evidence that we DID know.

Okay. And now this.

The combination of the overwhelming conviction of Sandusky in concert with the Freeh report now leaves everyone with no alternative than to now proclaim that there is more than enough evidence to state emphatically--with a stern strike--that there was a serious, serious issue happening at Penn State. Furthermore, the egregious acts had been covered up from the folks in power (we all know who they were) for fourteen years.

It begs the question then--at what cost?

At what cost is building a monster program worth it? At what point does the scale tip to integrity when balancing against fame and fortune? And most importantly, at what cost does a man stand up and do what’s right in the face of everything simply because it IS what’s right and true? What does it take to admit there are wrongdoings BEFORE you get caught?

Despite the angry musings of many who now want the NCAA to come in and swing a thick gavel, this is not a football issue. Let me say that again so that it makes it through the emotional cortex of disbelief--This is NOT a football issue. It is an ethical issue at the heart of its core fiber and it must be dealt as such. And it will.

But this is not a disease that has just been discovered in the football lab. It’s a disease that seems to be crippling the same iron that shapes the fame, and selfish attitudes of many in the world. Why rock the boat when the waters will smooth out once the rapids wane? No, keep your head down and row straight ahead so that self-preservation and the BRAND can be protected. We’ve seen it in corporate America, we’ve seen it in all genre of sports (steroids anyone), and we’ve seen it in our politicians.

Enough is enough.

What went on at Penn State is one of the worst scandals to ever hit sports, and certainly makes the team picture of abominations in modern history. And if you are a Penn State fan, alum, player, coach, administrator, or student, you should come to that realization.

Throw what this means to college football Saturdays aside. Toss out the emotion involved with the notion that Joe Paterno did a lot of good for the university. Don’t lash out because the “Great Experiment” can’t possibly roll out this proven theory. Put it all aside for a moment and simply say--We Are. Wrong. No ifs, ands, or buts. Let the victims begin to heal and let the law continue to do what is rightful and just.

When all of the shouting stops, the record will show that Penn State tried to get away with the sacrifice of many innocent victims by hijacking an ethical car out of control, filled with selfish interests, as it headed across the border to safety. Thankfully, that car careened out of control and crashed against the collective conscience of the many.

We heard you Penn State. Now may you hear the roar of sensibility and compassion. Allowing others to suffer amidst own successes cannot fill the void of what direction the moral compass points.