In a move heralded as the only logical move, Penn State’s board of trustees fired Joe Paterno this past Wednesday. In an interesting development a lawyer for one of the alleged victims says the board “Made the wrong call by firing Joe Paterno.”
Harrisburg civil attorney Ben Andreozzi, who has been advising some of the alleged victims of former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, issued the statement Thursday. The complete statement read:
“The board of trustees got it wrong. They should have consulted the victims before making a decision on Mr. Paterno…They should have considered these victims watch TV and are aware of the students’ reaction and may not want to be associated with the downfall of Mr. Paterno. The school instead elected to do what it felt was in its own best interest at the time. Isn’t that what put the school in this position in the first place?”
This statement only backed up the views in State College and around the country who have now decided it is Penn State’s Board of Trustees’ time to head to the woodshed and share responsibility as well. They are now viewed by many as the latest villains in the deplorable scandal that has rocked not only the college football world but the country and the world over.
Unfortunately with the protests and riots that broke out after the firing of the man who help shape a college into what it is today, some believe that it is possible that the victims may somehow fear being made the villains when all is said and done. They fear the possibility of bearing the burden and weight of the downfall of probably the most iconic figure in college football history.
Hopefully now that everything is out in the open and the Penn State board has rendered its verdict, the victims can move forward without doubt. Even the man they call JoePa has realized his inaction is what led to his fate stating “I wish I did more.”
Some Penn State students have organized a candlelight vigil Friday night at 9:30pm followed by a 10pm moment of silence in from of the Old Main building in support of the victims. Even after the firing of their coach, the victims should bear witness to the students supporting them and not worry about blowback from coming forward. America and the world know you are the victims and you have a nation of millions behind you.
