Paterno learned of the incident and reported it to his bosses, one of which oversaw the police department, essentially making him the "chief of Police". is this not what you are supposed to do. He reported it immediately as the papers have said. What more was he supposed.

"s" is spot on.

Given the circumstances, Paterno shouldn't even be given the chance to resign, never mind retire. He is a bully himself, saying that "the board of trustees should waste a miniute considering my status" in his statement. That is exactly what they should be doing, and he has no say in the matter.

If you read the Grand Jury report you will find out that it was reported, it was followed up, and like dave saltzer said it was reported to the person who oversees the police department, who would be technically the "chief of police". What more could JoePa do? You are all on JoePa's case, what about Sandusky's family who allowed him to rape these boys in the basement bedroom of his own home? Where was Mrs Sandusky....she had to know what was going on.....yet she never reported it or tried to stop it.

Likewise, the game this weekend should be cancelled. It should not become a pep-rally for Paterno. He shouldn't be there if a game takes place, if there is one. But the game should be cancelled, in respect for the victims. The hurt to players on both teams is insignificant to damage doen to Sandusky's and Penn State's victims

JoePa's huge ego will not allow him to do the right thing. It's up to the board of trustees to can him quickly!

Furthermore, football is stupid.

Too many young men have had their health and lives ruined by pemanent injuries (including many that are mental, psycholgical, or social) that were suffered whilst playing this silly game.

All of the so called life lessons claimed by proponents of football would be better learnt through participation in a whole slew of other activities, including nearly any other sport!

For those on the fence (and you Paterno apologists):

Here's an easy way to resolve it: If that little nameless boy was instead named Joey Paterno III - how do you think McQueary, Paterno & Spanier would have reacted? If you can say they would have done EXACTLY the same thing (no police/law ...enforcement/prosecution involvement), then maybe...just *maybe* they'd get a moral pass on this. But - I think it's extremely safe to say this would have gone down a LOT differently had that child been named Paterno. And therein lies the rub.

There's an expression made famous by Harry S Truman (someone even older than I am!) - "the buck stops here". That pulls Spanier into this - it happened on his watch. It also includes Paterno; he's the face and leader of Penn State football; you can't start underplaying his importance after years of behaving like he hung the moon.

As for McQueary - I hope he wonders about that little boy every single day of his life. While some of the victims are known (they're anonymous, of course, in the indictment), this particular little boy - the one McQueary saw Sandusky raping in the shower - is unknown. No one bothered to find out his name, so God only knows if he's gotten counseling or help or what. I hope McQueary remembers what he saw that day - AND DID NOTHING TO STOP! - and it haunts him forever.

Maybe leaving before the pot starts to boil?

Penn State Motto: "‎May no act of ours bring shame". Too late Joe. They should not allow him to retire. He should be fired. He and others failed to fulfill their moral obligations. It does not matter who he is, his record or football. They were aware of unspeakable acts and did not do anything. Mike McQueary should have intervened when he witnessed a 10 year old (supposedly) being raped by Sandusky. Paterno admitted that he didn’t do enough to prevent the (alleged) crimes. Really?
How many kids could have been spared? Joe Pa and others only had to do the right thing.

FIRED!!

Another Paterno saying, " Don't do what's expected of you, do more.". He should have followed his own advice. He should be fired. Paterno, at State College, has more power than all of the police, the president of PSU, the board of trustees all put together. He could of taken care of this immediately. It's all about the business of football. Shameful.

This tragedy has really made me realize many of the people in this country are worring themselves with the wrong part of the issue. Many of you here are blaming Joe. This happened years ago, before Sandusky retired. Lay off Joe Pa, he did his best. Known of you who are commenting on this article ignorantly even know the full story. Penn State Fans everywhere are upset by this, and people like you posting negatively don't help. I support Joe I think he did what he could and for all you know he did follow up, but Sandusky, Curley, and Schultz all lied about what was going on. Joe Pa told the truth. Know your facts people. PSU Forever xoxo

Paterno and the rest of them deserve everything they get and then some. It's disgusting to see and hear past & present students cheering for Joe. Keep on arresting and keep on firing ALL of them.

Sadly, the point is moot. The Board of Trustees made the decision. This is a sad and tragic situation. Countless people have been hurt, including (what was left of) our innocence and wonder at Penn State. Here's a good reflection: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7205085/growing-penn-state

If, in fact, Joe was aware of the level of abuse that was taking place, he deserves his punishment. If what he was aware of was that some goofing around that may have seemed inappropriate happened, his response was prudent. All of the facts are not in, so I will not disparage a man who has been loved and a hero to thousands of people during his career. Those that think they know all of the facts or just believe everything that they read through the media at this point, can just keep spouting their opinion. I pity them and the poor victims of this situation.

How shameful!

I am puzzled by the uproar over the Penn State sex scandal. Certainly what happened is inexcusable and those involved, whoever they are, need to be dealt with properly. However, where is the outrage over the banking meltdown and the bank bailouts using trillions of OUR tax dollars? If only we as citizens were as concerned about our corporate controlled governments as we are about sports! Perhaps it really is about "bread and circuses" as it was in the Roman Empire.

I believe it is right to fire any person involved in this disgraceful act. Obviously not a one of them did 'enough' or this may have ended years ago and before the number of victims increased. What gets me is that people choose to defend Joe P because of who he is. Would you still defend him if this happened to your child? Sickening.

@bob fimiano

Bob - no. I think they all should be terminated. I believe that everyone of them who knew anything that could have stopped Sandusky at the first opportunity, and failed to notify law enforcement, should be terminated.

I think this also speaks to a couple of other points:

the idolatry and ivory-tower status of college sports - most especially football. Believe me - I know it's not limited to Penn State. I am originally from Florida (Go, Gators) and the South (and West and everywhere else) has its share of sports worship to the point of insanity. Penn State football was more than just "football" - if I read correctly, that program brought something like $91 *MILLION* dollars a year to Penn State. That's not a football program - that's practically a Fortune 500 conglomerate. To say that Joe Paterno had "superiors" is to laugh. Do you really think that Paterno wasn't the walking example of the 500 pound gorilla?

And secondly -

the insular world of college campuses. I'm sorry, but the law enforcement of the municipality where a school is located should have definite authority over campus cops - ESPECIALLY where felonies of any type are concerned.

“ DO THE RIGHT THING IMMEDIATELY ! “

Penn State just did !

Now will the Catholic Church do it finally ?

Gov. Tom Corbett was Pa. AG at the time this investigation was occuring.
He said it troubled him deeply the last 2 years knowing about this.
His mouth stayed shut also this whole time while Sandusky roamed free to continue in his sick ways.
Corbett is just as guilty of inaction, and his head should roll too!
Strange how quiet he's become on this whole matter!

@Chris DeFrain - I said "practically", and was obviously reaching for hyperbole. That's a ginormous amount of $$$ for a university program to generate.

Not to downplay the goings on at Penn State right now, but it's a sad day when all that is on the front page of the newspaper is content about the Penn State scandal and NOTHING (on the front page) about our wonderful Veteran's-really?

Too many commenters here who obviously did not read the report. Oh well...so much for informed opinions. Let's increase the lynch mob to fire Ziegenfuss too. He after all spent way too much of our tax dollars to provide a computer to our children that allows them to advertise themselves to potential predators! Yea, that's it. He knows, reported it and is walking free. Fire him too. Oh wait, he's not a football coach. Oh well, so much for my wishful thinking. I guess he will remain on the payroll.

Has everyone forgotten about the being innocent until proven guilty! Those who have been charged with criminal wrongdoing should have been placed on suspention. Paterno has not been charged but seems to be guilty of "guilt by association". He reported what was, in effect, hearsay. He did NOT witness anything! If he had gone to any police department with what he "knew", he would have been open to charges of slander. Unfortunately, he was in a no-win situation. The legal process needs to run it's course and the whole story needs to come out before judgements are made. If someone reports suspected abuse, without proof, they and the organization they represent are open to lawsuits. How many careers have been destroyed by false charges... example Scott Austin at Penn State. Let history be the judge when people can look at the totality of a man's life and not just a single error in judgement.

A single error in judgement. are you crazy. Little boys were entrusted to Jerry Sandusky and he repaid that trust with RAPING little defenseless boys. How did McQueary and Joe Paterna and every other weak, despicable and complicit cowards sleep at night. There is a God in heaven and the evil will be judged by God . These so called men football heroes they can not be considered men. Real men don't protect or ignore child rapists. Is there anyghing lower