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Paterno statue removed, NCAA to levy sanctions

Penn State University officials decided Sunday to have the Joe Paterno statue removed. The statue, erected in 2001 and located outside Beaver Stadium, was forklifted off its base and moved inside the stadium where it will remain and stored, for now.

Of the swift decision, PSU president, Rodney Erickson stated,

I now believe that, contrary to its original intention, Coach Paterno’s statue has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing in our University and beyond. For that reason, I have decided that it is in the best interest of our university and public safety to remove the statue and store it in a secure location. I believe that, were it to remain, the statue will be a recurring wound to the multitude of individuals across the nation and beyond who have been the victims of child abuse.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT.

I believe this was the right thing to do, even if it is temporary. The debate about whether or not the statue should be removed was heating up and well on its way to never-ending status, and considering the saga is not over, pending the civil suits that are sure to come, it was a necessary action.

Judge Louis Freeh’s investigation and subsequent report left little doubt that Paterno was complicit in the cover up of Jerry Sandusky’s reckless and criminal sexual behavior involving innocent children on Penn State’s campus and under the auspice of being Penn State’s legendary defensive coordinator.

The Paterno family released a statement following the removal of the statue. Read it HERE.

It should be noted that Joe Paterno’s name will remain on the school’s library.

The NCAA has also decided to levy harsh sanctions against the university, details of which will be revealed Monday, by President Mark Emmert.

The ‘death penalty’ is not expected to be part of the punishment.

Photo: AP

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