As the sun sets on your forty-six year career as the coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, and the heinous actions of one man can no longer be hidden by the passivity of others, please consider this: Perhaps you were called to something greater than football. Perhaps there is another team for you to lead.
You see, there are thousands of institutions and organizations who don’t know how to respond in the wake of sexual abuse allegations. They have no game plan and their opponent is relentless.
Lead a new team. Teach others what you’ve learned. This may be your opportunity to coach more men and women than you ever did in the history of your career. This may be your opportunity to leave a legacy far greater than you could have asked for or imagined. Perhaps for such a time as this you’ve been placed into this world.
Coach Paterno, it’s the fourth quarter, your team is down by six, it’s your turn to call the play. Only this decision may not just affect a season, but years to come.
There is no better time than this for you to be doing what you are doing, my friend, by speaking out about childhood sexual abuse! My heart hurts for what has transpired at Penn State. Thank you for addressing it here! And thank you for the absolutely vital path you are taking to shine the light and inform others about prevention. I love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christy. The words came so I wrote. I love you too!
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