Joe Paterno dies, leaving a record for others to debate - The Washington Post Print SubscriptionConversationsToday's PaperGoing Out GuideJobsCarsReal EstateRentalsClassifiedsHomePoliticsCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseBlogs & ColumnsIssues: EnergyTop BlogsElection 2012 | Felicia SonmezThe Fix | Chris CillizzaFederal Eye | Ed O’KeefeFact Checker | Glenn KesslerOpinionsAll OpinionsPostPartisanLeft-LeaningRight-LeaningTolesCartoonsTelnaesAnimationsLocalColumnist IndexLocalDC: Politics| NewsMD: Politics| CommunitiesVA: Politics| CommunitiesCrimeEducationOn Faith/LocalObituariesTraffic & CommutingWeatherBlogs & ColumnsThe Root DCTop BlogsPost NowThe BuzzCapital Weather GangDr. GridlockSportsRedskins/NFLCapitals/NHLWizards/NBANationals/MLBDC United/SoccerCollegesAllMetSportsOther SportsBlogs & ColumnsTop BlogsThe Insider| Mike JonesCapitals Insider| Katie CarreraWizards Insider | Michael LeeNationals Journal| Adam KilgoreNationalCorrectionsEnergy & EnvironmentHealth & ScienceHigher EducationNational SecurityOn FaithOn LeadershipInnovationsOn GivingBlogs & ColumnsTop BlogsIdeas@InnovationsPost LeadershipUnder GodCheckpoint WashingtonWorldAfricaTheAmericasAsia &PacificEuropeMiddle EastNational SecurityWar ZonesSpecial ReportsCheckpoint WashingtonBusinessEconomyIndustriesLocal BusinessMarketsPolicy&RegulationTechnologyWorldBusinessBlogs & ColumnsInnovationsOn Small BusinessTop BlogsWonkblog | Ezra KleinPost Tech | Cecilia KangFaster ForwardWhere We LiveInvestigationsLifestyleAdviceCarolyn HaxFoodHome & GardenStyleTravelWeddingsWellnessMagazineKidsPostTop BlogsArts PostAll We Can EatReliable Source | Roxanne Roberts & Amy ArgetsingerOn Parenting | Janice D’ArcyEntertainmentBooksCelebritiesComicsGoing Out GuideHoroscopesMoviesMuseumsPuzzlesTheater & DanceTVTop BlogsTV Column | Lisa de MoraesCelebritology | Jen ChaneyClick Track | Chris Richards & David MalitzComic Riffs | Michael CavnaMultimediaInnovationsPhotosVideosThe Washington PostMake us your start page

PersonalizeThe Washington PostRedskins/NFLCapitals/NHLWizards/NBANationals/MLBDC United/SoccerCollegesAllMetSportsOther SportsBlogs & ColumnsPost TicketsScoreboardLeadersPollsAround the areaTerrapins InsiderCavaliers JournalHokies JournalIn the NewsJoe Paterno Newt Gingrich S.C. primary Dr. Death NFL Marist College fire Megaupload ???initialComments:true! pubdate:01/22/2012 13:33 EST! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:2/5/12 1:33 EST! currentDate:1/22/12 3:0 EST! allowComments:true! displayComments:true!

Joe Paterno dies

For 49ers’ Davis, team comes first again
 of Copy (2) of sp-wiz_008_1324954440.jpg)
OPINION | Wizards need to get rid of this...

Porter rescues 10th-ranked Hoyas at home

Sally JenkinsColumnistJoe Paterno dies, leaving a record for others to debate
View Photo Gallery — Joe Paterno died Sunday at age 85. Paterno won 409 games in 46 years as the head football coach for Penn State. He was fired dismissed as head coach by the Penn State board of directors in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Sandusky, his former assistant coach at Penn State from 1969 to 1999, is charged with more than 50 counts of sexually abusing young boys over a 15-year period.


Text SizePrintE-mailReprints By Sally Jenkins,
Joe Paterno could outtalk anybody in that Brooklyn beat cop’s voice of his. But the lung cancer and the chemo had left him breathless, and what emerged in two days of conversations with him, the last interview he would give, sounded like a series of sighs. Some of them satisfied, some of them regretful, all of them aware that his life was drawing to a close and 85 years were being relentlessly and reductively defined. ¶ Paterno studied his own end, and knew it wasn’t going to be storybook. So much for the old-fashioned narrative he had built, of bookish yet vigorous young men filling a stadium in the Alleghenies, men he had uplifted such as Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell and Brandon Short, autumn leaves swirling softly over their heads. ¶ “There’s the kind of stories I wish we could tell,” Paterno whispered. ¶ But a modern grotesquery intervened, and there were too many other boys who allegedly had been damaged.
For most of his 61 years as a football coach at Penn State, Paterno built a record of thorough decency and good intention. He loved his wife, reared five nice children, taught his students well. He turned down big money for the role of a tenured professor, and strolled every day from his modest home to his unpretentious office. He acquired real power, and generally tried not to abuse it, and if he sometimes he did, he covered for it by insisting on paying for his ice cream cones. He set out to prove that staying in one place could be as rewarding as climbing to the next rung. He meant to walk away sooner. He stayed too long.
Loading...CommentsWeigh InCorrections?Archivee-mailfacebooktwitterVideo
The Washington Post's Sally Jenkins discusses her exclusive interview with Penn State legend Joe Paterno, in which the former head football coach spoke at length about the child sexual abuse scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.Video
Joe Paterno, who racked up more wins than anyone else in major college football but was fired from Penn State amid a child sex abuse scandal has died. He was 85.More on this TopicJoe Paterno dies at 85Jenkins: Paterno’s record is for others to judgeExclusive audio from Paterno’s final interviewText of statement by the Paterno familyView all Items in this StoryVideo: A look backVideo: Students, fans show their supportDeath reports on Saturday ignite Web firestormFamily: ‘He fought hard until the end’Early Lead, Jan. 21: Incorrect reports spark Internet firestormPaterno: ‘I didn’t know exactly how to handle it’Photos: Paterno takes a look backVideo: Paterno in his own wordsExcerpts from interview with Joe PaternoJenkins takes your questions Monday at 10 a.m.Poll: How do you feel about Paterno’s actions?Complete coverage of the Penn State scandalHe stayed so long that he became more of an ideal to his followers than a person. Then the horrific happened, and the quaint success story in the peaceful hamlet was destroyed by allegations that Jerry Sandusky, Paterno’s assistant coach for 30 years, was a serial child molester and that Paterno, when told of an incident involving Sandusky and a small boy in the Penn State showers, did his duty but no more, passing the report to his superiors. The only way to give the tragedy the gravity it deserved was to topple the icon who behaved so fallibly.
“You got what you got,” he says he told himself, after he was fired by the board of trustees in November. “You did about as much as you can do, on the field and off the field.”
Yet Paterno also understood he was the face of a terrible inaction. He had done more than some people, yet less than he should have when he failed to press his superiors about Mike McQueary’s report of seeing Sandusky doing something sexual to a small boy in the Lasch football building.
“I should have said ‘Hey where are we with this thing?’” Paterno said. He described himself as paralyzed by the unthinkable subject matter. He had “backed away,” he said, and trusted his bosses to handle it.
“I didn’t know which way to go,” he said. “And rather than get in there and make a mistake .?.?.”
A week ago, Paterno invited this reporter into his home because he wanted to defend his record and give his version of events in the Sandusky case. He often seemed to be trying to explain his actions to himself as much as to others. It was a difficult conversation because it was not only his first interview on the subject of Sandusky but quite possibly the last interview he would ever give. His health was clearly precarious, and his answers often trailed off or wandered. Shortly afterward, he failed badly, and slipped in and out of consciousness over the next few days.
Continued12Next PageEmailTumblrRedditStumbleuponDiggDeliciousWeigh InDiscussion PolicyAbout Discussions, Badges Newest firstOldest firstMost Recommended first SuperFan Badge SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur Badge Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
More about badges | Request a badge Fact Checker Badge Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
More about badges | Request a badge Washingtologist Badge Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
More about badges | Request a badge Post Writer Badge This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum Badge Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Weather Watcher Badge Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
More about badges | Request a badge World Watcher Badge World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Post Recommended Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
Sign in here You must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Sign in here Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
More about badgesGet a badge To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. + SHARE THIS DEBATE WP Social Reader Hide this Friends' Activity Most Popular in sports Most Popular in sports Most Popular Right Now
Your Friends’ Most Recent Activity
View More Activity
Powered by
.league-scores .padding h1 {font-family:arial;padding-top:0px;padding:3px;font-size:1.2em;background-color:#F6F6F6;}.league-scores .padding ul li {font-size:1.2em;padding-bottom:4px;}.module p.more {padding-bottom:6px;padding-top:6px;margin-top:4px;} Stats, scores and schedules NFL Scores Standings Statistics NBA Scores Standings Leaders NHL Scores Standings Statistics NCAA BK Scores Standings Statistics The Post Most: SportsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hoursMost PopularText of statement by the Paterno family on the death of Joe PaternoWizards need to part with Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee and Nick YoungFederer through to Australian Open quarterfinals with impressive win over localBerdych booed by crowd after beating Almagro at Australian Open, refusing to shaNFL Playoffs: Ravens vs. Patriots, Giants vs. 49ers in conference championshipsTop GalleriesFootball coach Joe Paterno dies at 85No. 3 Gonzaga tops No. 1 DeMatha, 76-74Mourning Joe PaternoAustralian Open 2012: Novak Djokovic looks to defend title against Rafael Nadal,Ex-Penn State coach Sandusky waives right to hearingTop VideosJoe Paterno interview excerpts (0:34)Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno dead at 85 (2:16)Exclusive Joe Paterno audio: On what he tried to teach (0:12)Exclusive Joe Paterno audio: On the scandal (0:18)Exclusive Joe Paterno audio: On his legacy (0:09) Chat ScheduleThere are no discussions scheduled today. TranscriptSally Jenkins on Joe Paterno interview Weekly schedule, past shows Sports NewslettersSign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox. The InsiderSports DailySports News AlertsSee all Washington Post Newsletters

Featured Advertiser LinksMesothelioma cancer shatters lives. Find out what to do before the killer strikes the one you love.>>Actos gave you bladder cancer? You may be entitled to compensation. Learn how to file an Actos lawsuit.>>Join Pres. Obama. It's time to do it again.>>Are you in? Join Barack Obama's campaign now.>>Help Pres. Obama keep moving America forward.>>Join the 2012 campaign at BarackObama.com>>Looking to buy a home? Visit TWP Real Estate section for the latest open houses.>>Make Your Vanguard Investing More Profitable - Free Research Report Reveals Best & Worst Funds>>Top sports Stories People Also ReadMost Popular VideosText of statement by the Paterno family on the death of Joe PaternoAssociated Press
Wizards need to part with Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee and Nick YoungJason Reid
Federer through to Australian Open quarterfinals with impressive win over local hope TomicAssociated Press
Berdych booed by crowd after beating Almagro at Australian Open, refusing to shake handsAssociated Press
NFL Playoffs: Ravens vs. Patriots, Giants vs. 49ers in conference championshipsMark Maske
Ravens vs. Patriots: Joe Flacco keeps winning, despite skeptics of his gameMark Maske
After impressive win for ‘Aussie Kim,’ Federer waltzes into Australian Open quarterfinalsAssociated Press Chad Reed wins Monster Energy AMA Supercross race at Dodger StadiumAssociated Press
Giants vs. 49ers: Carlos Rogers discovers there is life after the RedskinsBarry Svrluga
Maryland vs. Temple: Owls pull away for 73-60 victoryLiz Clarke TV and radio listings: Jan. 22::unspecified::
For Towson basketball, record losing streak can't end fast enoughJohn Feinstein
West rallies from early 10-point deficit to beat East 24-17 in Shrine gameAssociated Press
49ers, Giants bring playoff rivalry back to Bay Area in NFC title game for Super Bowl berthAssociated Press Family says Joe Paterno, winningest coach in major college football, has diedAssociated Press
Joe Paterno dies after battle with cancerDave Sheinin Ways you can get us Mobile Apps Newsletter & alerts RSS Post Store Facebook Photo Store Twitter Washington Post Live The Washington Post Work for us Community Relations PostPoints Corrections/Suggestions Archive Contact the Ombudsman Report a problem Web site Make us your homepage Digital Guidelines Ask The Post Newspaper Subscribe Home delivery service e-Replica Advertise In the newspaper On the web site Mobile Events The Washington Post Company Post Company web sites Partners Slate Express Night Out Captial Business El Tiempo Latino The Root Foreign Policy Trove Post Tickets Capitol Deal Service Alley Post Master Class WP Live Student Advisor College Reviews © 1996- The Washington Post Terms of Service Privacy Policy Reprints and Permissions Help Contact Us Ad Choices
View the original article here