Invincible

It has been a tough week for Penn State fans.  The indictment that came down on Saturday about the Nittany Lions ex-defensive coordinator is an outrage.  Like most incidents of this nature, the cover up compounds the alleged crime.  What is especially hard to swallow is that Joe Paterno, Penn State's coach for life, didn't do enough to stop the crimes or support the victims.

Before Saturday, JoePa (Paterno) could have written his own ending to a fabled coaching career.  Two weeks ago, he surpassed Eddie Robinson to become the winningest coach in college football history.  Most believe his time had come, but he earned the right to leave on his own terms.  No longer.  Today he said he would retire at the end of the season.  Later this week, he may have coached his last game and will be shown the door.  A terrible way to end a wonderful career.

It could all have been so different.  The problem with staying in one place for so long is that you become invincible.  By all accounts, nothing happened at the football facilities, practices or with the players that JoePa didn't know about.  Assuming this is true, then he knew about the transgressions of Jerry Sandusky and didn't remove him from the program and report him to the authorities.  He could have done the right thing and spared other victims.  It appears he did not.  It's more than his legacy that will be impacted.  It is the lives of many who have looked to him as the ultimate leader.

Let this be a lesson to all.  No one is invincible.  No one is so important that they are above ethical behavior and the law.  As painful as it may have been to turn in his friend, the community would have been so much better off and JoePa could write the ending to a great career.  How the mighty fall! 

Life presents us with teachable moments daily.  At some point each of us will be tested with an ethical dilemma.  How we react will define us the rest of our lives.  What will you do when tested?  Will your backbone be strong enough to withstand the push and pull of peers, friends and family?  Decide your core values and make sure your faith in them is unshakable.  Learn from JoePa's mistakes.