Monte Poole: Joe Paterno was a decent person but not a saint

Abstract

While this is, first and foremost, a reference to [Joe Paterno]'s reaction to the richly chronicled child-molestation charges faced by Jerry Sandusky, one of his longtime assistant coaches, this also could apply to additional Penn State matters not yet exposed, to crimes and cover-ups and indiscretions that have not come to the surface.

"It was a Saturday morning," Paterno, under oath, explained to the grand jury, "and I didn't want to interfere with their weekends."

Given earlier indications of Sandusky's nature, Paterno in 1999 ushered his defensive coordinator into early retirement. Sandusky kept his office at Penn State and maintained access to the school's facilities.