Uncategorized
The priorities of sports in the wake of the Penn State scandal
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
Published
13 years agoon
By Brandon Niles
I am a massive sports fan. I love sports. I watch football like it’s my life’s calling. I’m moved almost to tears by the threat of losing the NBA season. I beam with pride while following the Olympics. I watch games, I root for teams, and I bury myself in statistics purely for the sake of interest and to fuel my obsession.
I don’t remember my first kiss and I hardly recall homecoming in high school, but I remember the day that Barry Sanders unexpectedly retired. Sports play a significant role in my life.
I don’t think I’m unique. As I watch the games on television, I’m struck by the passion that fills each stadium. I see pride in sports teams shown on car windows, clothing and home accessories all around me. I even see sports as a form of artistic expression, and I stand up against those who belittle athletics as something of value.
Recently, serious and horrific allegations of sexual misconduct involving young boys by former Penn State defensive coordinator Gerald Sandusky arose. The official grand jury report reads like a terrifying CSI episode or a disturbing crime novel. In the wake of these allegations, long-time head coach Joe Paterno was fired from his position amid the scandal.
The grand jury has yet to find Paterno guilty of any wrongdoing, and many people still support him. The students took to the streets in protest of the firing. However, the disturbing thing about the Paterno firing is not that this is perhaps the biggest and worst scandal to hit the sports world. The disturbing thing isn’t that Paterno’s legacy as one of the most revered coaches in college football will be forever altered. The disturbing thing is that amidst all these allegations of horrific misconduct, the focus has been on Paterno at all.
This isn’t about whether or not he should’ve been fired. My point is that we lovers of sports who obsess over wins and statistics and legacies and the integrity of the game and other things associated with athletics tend to lose sight of the important things. Sometimes it’s the fans that lose sight; sometimes it’s the media fueling this blurring of perspective. Most of the time, it’s both.
We shouldn’t be focused on Paterno’s legacy at all. Instead, we should take the time to reflect on the fact that this story, this crime, is not about sports. It’s not about legacies and wins and the integrity of a football program. This story is about terrible things that have allegedly been done to at least eight victims.
This is a call to the media and to the fans that are arguing over the legacy of Joe Paterno. We all love sports, but this is a time to be somberly horrified and to be concerned over the welfare of all victims of these alleged crimes. I’m saddened by the misdirection this story has taken and of attention being given to careers and to football in the wake of such crimes. Take a moment to remember that Penn State football will continue to be Penn State football when all is said and done. In the meantime, we should all somberly await the outcome of these charges and just hope that maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
You may like
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm