Dungy's Diary

Accountability and Penn State

Posted on November 10, 2011 by AllProDad

 

I have, like most football fans, been following the events as they have unfolded at Penn State regarding Coach Joe Paterno and the football program.  Having known Coach Paterno and Jerry Sandusky, the coach who has been charged in the allegations, I am shocked at what has been alleged to have taken place.  I have always had the utmost respect for Coach Paterno and the way things have been run at Penn State. I have played with, and coached, many players from there and they all have nothing but incredible things to say about him.

That being said, though, I believe the University had no other choice in this matter than to accept his resignation or force him to step down.  I think they made the right move in ousting the President of the University as well.  When something of this magnitude happens I think everyone in a leadership position is responsible.  Whether it is directly your fault or not, it has taken place under your watch and there is no way that public confidence could ever be regained without a change in leadership.

I also think this is a reminder to all of us that we have a responsibility to hold each other accountable, no matter what.  It doesn’t matter if it is a subordinate, a co-worker or your boss.  If something is taking place that is wrong, we have to address it and make sure action is taken.  I’m sure there are a lot of people at Penn State who are saying in hindsight, ”I wish I had said something–I wish I had done something.”  When it involves something as serious as child abuse, we can’t afford to assume that someone else will handle it.  We have to act.  It’s just sad that it appears so many children were hurt as we were learning this lesson.


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  • Joe

     Code Section23§6303, et seq.What Constitutes AbuseAct which causes nonaccidental serious physical injury, sexual abuse/exploitation, serious physical neglect constituting prolonged or repeated lack of supervision or failure to provide essentials of lifeMandatory Reporting Required ByPhysician, coroner, dentist, chiropractor, hospital personnel, Christian Science practitioner, clergy, school teacher/nurse/administrator, social services worker, day care or child center worker, mental health professional, peace officer, law enforcement official, funeral director, foster care workerBasis of Report of Abuse/neglectReasonable cause to suspect (within their respective training) that child is abusedTo Whom ReportedDepartment of Public Welfare of the CommonwealthPenalty for Failure to Report or False ReportingSummary offense for 1st violation; misdemeanor in 3rd degree for 2nd and subsequent offensesPENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE LAWS –ENOUGH SAID!  THEY ARE ALL GUILTY OF FAILURE TO REPORT.  AS A TEACHER YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT EVEN IF YOUR SUPERVISOR FAILS TO DO SO.  I AM A 30 YEAR VETERAN TEACHER WHO HAS HAD TO GO OVER THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND REPORT BECAUSE I AM LEGALLY HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT!!!!

  • Zack

    Quit trying to justify what he did and just admit he was wrong. And how is wishing he didn’t do more any different from admitting he should have done more. Why don’t you put yourself in the shoes of the kids whos lives have forever been scarred before you rush to defend someone who allowed the cover up to happen.

  • http://twitter.com/CarvelMunroe CarvelMunroe

    The only way to give the institution, and the people associated with it, the ability to live on is do whatever it takes to demonstrate to the victims (everyone whose trust has been violated) that this should have never happened.  This means the leadership must be replaced regardless of the number of years of good that they have achieved. Everyone who had knowledge of what was happening without acting on it courageously.

  • Sparty1982

    I wish there were more men like you, Mr. Dungy. Thank you for taking the time to express your wise words.

  • Dr. Jackson

    The unfortunate factor in all of this is the long term impact on the children. Penn State and Jo Pa will recover but the children, what about them. The media as well as yourself are more concerned about the system and Jo Pa. What about the innocent children, they will have to deal with the issues associated with molestation for the rest of their life.What would your opinion be if it was one of your children who was molested? Would your opinion change. I believe it would if you change your lens to the view of the children.

    Dr. Jackson

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Betsy-Michaud/1367314505 Betsy Michaud

    This is truly a tragedy ~ first and last, for the young victims in these crimes ~ but permeating the situation is the ugly shadow of the Catholic Priesthood which, even after all of the exposure of shameful cover-ups, is still guilty of ongoing attempts to protect and hide rapists and molesters first, and begrudgingly recognizing and verifying victims ~ even as they try to quietly as possible payoff victims in an effort to conceal and protect the reputation/image of the “Holy” church. What kind of an example does that set for other “noble” institutions like our colleges with highly publicized “Codes of Honor” ~ so similar to those of the church ~ (and I speak as one baptized in the Catholic Church) ~
    Further evil at the root of the matter is the presumption by those in “high” positions of office, clerics, college officials, government representatives, even some judges of the high courts ~ even U.S. Presidents ~ that they are above the law, and it is their “responsibility” to protect their reputations above all else. Presidents, self-proclaimed “almighty-powerful,” blithely  pardon those who are blatantly guilty of crimes against society ~ criminals who’ve been legally convicted ~ and yet are pardoned because they are “considered too important to be held accountable ~ and on, and on.
    This is the putrid smell of the underlying sickness which is rotting our Democracy ~ our Constitution ~ our Republic of Law and Order ~ our constitutional guarantee that all citizens are equal under the law ~ OUR GUARANTEE THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. Whether these horrible cover-ups are based on hubris or greed ~ or both, This is a sickness that threatens us all because of its insidious nature. There is so much corruption, so much denial, and it’s all too common ~ too easy.
    We must admit to our weaknesses ~ reverse our practices ~ pull ourselves back under the protection of and respect for our Constitution ~ before it is too late. Our Constitution is our strongest fortress against cover-ups, our greatest guide toward honor and truth.
    Like the sentence says, ” This will be a better world when the Power of Love (and Justice) replaces the Love (and criminal use) of Power.”

  • Kate’s mom

    even if Sandusky were kicked off campus, there would still have been a pedophile free on the streets to prey on children. it’s ultimately the justice system, not any private citizen, that can place someone away from the public where they can cause no harm.

  • Rsporter

     Has the real issue been lost?  Who cares about the football program and the money it generates.  To hell with all of the leaders of the program and college!!  There is so much focus on the rebuilding of the college football program and leadership for the college yet the real focus should be on rebuilding the lives of the victims of this horrible institute and it’s corrupt leadership.  It would be best if the football program at Penn State was shut down instead of allowing the money making machine to rule.  All of the money generated by the football program should go to helping the poor people that fell victim to these monsters. 
    Not only should someone have said something to the POLICE THE VERY FIRST TIME THEY HEARD OF OR SAW ABUSE, but the grad student that walked into the locker room and witnessed Sandusky in the act of raping a child should have stepped in and physically stopped it. What kind a monster doesn’t stop someone from hurting a child when they walk in and see it going on. The leadership of Penn State values/valued money, pride, and evil more than the safety and well being of many, many children and would still hold true to the corrupt values had the story not been leaked and put under public scrutiny.  Penn State is a HORRID institution! Shut the Football program down…….TO HELL WITH THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM!!! 
    FOCUS ON THE REBUILDING OF THE VICTIMS LIVES…………THE REAL TRAGITY!!!

  • Rsporter

     Has the real issue been lost?  Who cares about the football program and
    the money it generates.  To hell with all of the leaders of the program
    and college!!  There is so much focus on the rebuilding of the college
    football program and leadership for the college yet the real focus
    should be on rebuilding the lives of the victims of this horrible
    institute and it’s corrupt leadership.  It would be best if the football
    program at Penn State was shut down instead of allowing the money
    making machine to rule.  All of the money generated by the football
    program should go to helping the poor people that fell victim to these
    monsters. 

    Not only should someone have said something to the POLICE THE VERY FIRST
    TIME THEY HEARD OF OR SAW ABUSE, but the grad student that walked into
    the locker room and witnessed Sandusky in the act of raping a child
    should have stepped in and physically stopped it. What kind a monster
    doesn’t stop someone from hurting a child when they walk in and see it
    going on. The leadership of Penn State values/valued money, pride, and
    evil more than the safety and well being of many, manychildren and would
    still hold true to the corrupt values had the story not been leaked and
    put under public scrutiny.  Penn State is a HORRID institution! Shut
    the Football program down…….TO HELL WITH THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM!!! 

    FOCUS ON THE REBUILDING OF THE VICTIMS LIVES…………THE REAL TRAGITY!!!

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  • Anne Skillman

    I fully agree with Coach Dungy, and have a high regard for his consistent Christian code of ethics.

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  • ellabmcintyre

    Now that JoePa has passed away, I think I agree now with AllProBob who wrote earlier-  in the long term, JoePa’s legacy will not be harmed in a material way by this current bruhaha- particularly after the Washington Post article in which JoePa explained himself.   History give perspective, thankfully.

  • Oscar Jiminez

    Ella B is right- History giveS perspective (looks like she made a minor typo) and JoePa will not come out too tarnished in the end.  Let’s trust that he met his Savior personally and is now rejoicing in heaven

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