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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Outside the Lines
CHICAGO – We reported on Monday that ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” had tentatively scheduled to air a segment examining the spate of off-the-field incidents involving criminal charges against Penn State players this Sunday. It appears now the episode is definitely slated for the Sunday 9:30 a.m. show on ESPN and at noon on ESPNEWS. Here are a few interesting quotes from coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier that will be in the segment:

Paterno on the number of criminal charges against Penn State football players:
  • “Every time a kid steps out of line he gets a little bit more publicity. I’m not condoning any of these things, but I think we got to keep it in perspective.” 
  • “I just think people got to understand that bringing in young kids, 18, 19, 20, you know, they’re not perfect. They’re not angels. They’re very aggressive kids or they wouldn’t be guys who can compete in front of 110,000 people.”

Spanier:
  • “They’re staggering numbers. They’re very high and they shouldn’t be that way.”
  • “It might often be the case that there is an initial overreaction as evidenced by the dismissal of so many charges, but never mind that, it’s still the case that many of those charges have stuck."

Paul Clarke, Penn State professor of labor studies and employment relations, vice-chairman of the Faculty Senate Athletics Committee:
  • “Penn State’s a great university in a lot of respects - outstanding faculty, exceptional students, a great tradition. But this is really a black mark. It diminishes all of us.”

 

Posted by Jeff McLane @ 2:21 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
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Comments
Posted by StevenT 10:20 PM, 07/24/2008
I think you missed you the quote from Paterno where he expressed HIS surprise at the actual number of charges filed during recent years. I think this shows a lack of oversight on his part and a feeling among the players that they can do as they please as they show no restraint off campus at these parties where the fights break out.
Posted by Richie Allen 12:28 PM, 07/27/2008
This isn't your father's Penn State football team. These guys are certified NFL-ready. Life-ready we're not so sure of. Some real sports journalist should take a took at the post-college years of PSU as well as other major college football players AFTER the celebrity status leaves them in the dust. In decades past this was Paterno's strong point--he was preparing many of his players for their everyday life after football. Is this still true? Judging by recent year headlines from Happy Valley, this may no longer be the case. Therein may lie the tragedy of all of this. Say it isn't so, Joe.
Posted by rvb2321 10:24 AM, 07/30/2008
What is funny is that lovers of the Blue and White never realize that their scholar athletes have been misbehaving for years but only now is it starting to be reported. When I started following this story, the first question I had was "wow, how did this get in the news"? There has been protection from the media for football players going back many years. How do I know this? I was forced to defend myself in a fight with a promanent, high profile football player back in early 1990 while up at State College (something I truly regret now). When the police blotter story appeared in the State College Newspaper, my name was listed but the other person was not listed. I guess I was beating myself up? Long story short, I think Joe Pa has lost that power in the law enforcement community and thus more players are finding themselves in the public eye.
Posted by philasportsfan 10:48 PM, 07/31/2008
I didn't go to PSU. I'm not a big fan of PSU. I'd like to know the comparison of PSU football players who've gotten into trouble with the general PSU student body. I'm wondering if the fact that the football players are "news-worthy" is what's causing the issue to be dumped at Paterno's feet?
Posted by JIMPSU 08:12 PM, 08/02/2008
If the gist of the story is to be believed, that Penn State has lowered academic standards to obtain better recruits. Then, the fact that JoePa is still graduating them at a rate of 84% should be a source of pride not criticism.
5 comments
About Jeff McLane
Jeff McLane
Jeff McLane has been at The Inquirer since May, 1996, and has been the Penn State football beat reporter since August, 2007. He also covers Big Five college basketball, among other assignments for the sports desk. Jeff has never won a Pulitzer Prize, an APSE award or any other writing award for that matter. But his wife and two sons think he's as good a writer as Red Smith ever was. A native Philadelphian and a recovering Penn State graduate, Jeff will blog on all things Nittany Lions football.
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