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Random thoughts while wondering whether a Penn State booster group will buy the Joe Paterno bronze statue — removed Sunday from its spot outside the school’s football stadium — for at least $60 million and find a prominent public — yet private land — location to put it:
Penn State receives Sports Illustrated cover treatment.
* There are those who think the NCAA’s punishment handed out Monday (July 23) against the Nittany Lions football program was too harsh. Really? Child sexual abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky that could have been stopped if school officials had been more concerned about youngsters than the football program merits even sterner consequences than the penalties from the NCAA and Big Ten Conference. The bottom line is about the only thing affected by the sanctions is the school’s bottom line. A $60 million fine to be levied over five years — money. No postseason play for four years — money. No proceeds from Big Ten bowl revenues — money.
* But what about the the poor players? Well, what about them. They still can obtain a Penn State education. They still can play football. They can leave and be immediately eligible elsewhere — provided that they can find an opening this close to practice starting soon at schools around the country. And the over-riding reality is any punishment is not about the players; it’s about the university.
* Still waiting for one sanction against Penn State that will guarantee culture change. Other than a cut in scholarships that could lead to several successive losing seasons — and even that does not guarantee a realization that there is more to life than the Nittany Lions.
* Penn State folks outraged that the school rolled over and accepted the penalties might like to know it did so to avoid the “death penalty.” Life will go on pretty much as usual on football Saturdays. It’s unclear what level of criminal behavior and lack of institutional control is required to receive the “death penalty.”
* Penn State students need to understand the penalties imposed are not against them. And they need to know not to take it personally. All they need to do is ask themselves how they would feel about Sandusky raping their siblings, friends, etc. As for those who view the situation as Penn State against the world, that is not what this is. What this is is a learning opportunity and a time to institute institutional control over football.
Jaime Edmondson is a good sport -- even when it comes to "Hillbilly Handfishin'."
* Part of a statement from the Paterno family: “Punishing past, present and future students of the university because of Sandusky’s crimes does not serve justice. This is not a fair or thoughtful action; it is a panicked response to the public’s understandable revulsion at what Sandusky did.” Well, don’t forget revulsion at what school officials, including JoePa, did not do.
* Part of a statement from the Paterno family: “The sanctions announced by the NCAA today defame the legacy and contributions of a great coach and educator without any input from our family or those who knew him best.” Defame Paterno? Or define him?
* Switching soap boxes, Twitter was all atwitter Monday afternoon with a report Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster had been traded to the Atlanta Braves. As of 3 a.m. Chicago time Tuesday, he still was a Cub. Moral of the story: Ryan Dempster has/has not been traded, Twitter has learned/not learned. Social media = Get it first. Journalism = Get it right first. Or something like that.
* Speaking of trades, the New York Yankees obtained Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners for a couple of pitching prospects. He apparently fills a need the Yankees had for another future Hall of Famer in the lineup.
Jaime Edmondson sure cleans up nice.
Among those who disagreed that Penn State’s penalties were too harsh is Jaime Edmondson, a longtime favorite around here who is even moreso after taking that stance. The Playboy Playmate (January 2010) recently went to Oklahoma to noodle catfish with her bare hands and feet as part of Animal Planet’s “Hillbilly Handfishin’.”
With help from co-stars Skipper Bivins and Trent Jackson, she landed — or whatever handfishin’ folks do — a 40-pound flathead. Visual and video verification should be available at her Play-By-Playmate blog at Playboy.com.
“Hillbilly Handfishin'” returns for its second season July 29 at 7 p.m. Chicago time for a seven-episode run.
Before ending today’s effort, the editorial staff at elliottharris.com thought (a rarity, yes, I know) something more upbeat about college football — and including Penn State — might be called for. So here is Jaime in a college football-themed video, which you might already have seen (but surely bears repeating):
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