The Waterboy
Jeff Yoder | Sports Co-Editor
This is not a column titled after the 1998 comedy with Adam Sandler. It's a place to take a break from the action, step over to the sideline and let me refresh you with a cold cup of sports knowledge. Every other week, I'll give a response to the professional and college sports worlds' latest controversy.
Last Saturday, Sept. 15, Penn State football won its first game in 14 years. On paper, the Nittany Lions hold the worst winning percentage in NCAA football with a record of 0-64 since 1998. The second worst record is held by the Florida International Golden Panthers.In reality, Penn State is now 113-64 in the past 14 years with an asterisk next to 112 of those wins. All of the program's victories since the 1998 season have been vacated as part of the school's punishment for the child abuse scandal that was uncovered less than a year ago.
If you don't know by now, former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was indicted on 48 counts of child molestation, dating back to 1994. On June 22, Sandusky was found guilty of 45 counts. Investigations brought the conclusion that head coach Joe Paterno, President Graham Spanier, Vice President Gary Schultz and Athletic Director Tim Curley all played a part in covering up the allegations.
On July 23, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the punishments for the Penn State football program. These include $60 million in sanctions, a four-year ban from bowl games and the loss of multiple scholarships - a heavy punishment for a crime that wasn't committed on the football field.
Though unjust, the real jaw-dropper was removing all victories since 1998. Erasing Penn State's wins is nothing more than a message to other football programs, but it deleted a 14-year memory of great football.
The record books now show that 2002 runningback and Heisman Trophy candidate Larry Johnson rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a season when Penn State had a record of 0-4. They also beat Florida State in the 2005 Orange Bowl in triple overtime. I'd hate to be a fan who spent nearly five hours at a thrilling bowl game only to find out seven years later that neither team technically won.
As Emmert gave his list of punishments - and the list was long - many Penn State administrators sat patiently awaiting the death penalty, which would be a year or more of no football. When it didn't come, they jumped on the opportunity to accept this less destructive punishment without fighting back.
They resembled that over-excited, stay-at-home mother on "The Price is Right" who takes the first showcase because she got too anxious.
Emmert got power hungry and hammered a nail into Penn State football's coffin for the near future. He not only vacated Joe Paterno's 112 wins but the wins of 14 years of innocent Penn State players.
I am not defending Jerry Sandusky or his actions. Although the events that occurred were clearly tragic, I feel the punishment was senseless and unjust to players who were not involved.
Players like Larry Johnson, Michael Robinson, Tamba Hali and Aaron Maybin are in the NFL despite having zero college wins or bowl victories. Courtney Brown and Lavar Arrington went number one and two in the NFL draft in 2000 and neither of them won a game their junior or senior year?
The destruction of a storm is never permanent. A city, nation or community always rallies to heal and rebuild. Hurricane Emmert tore through Happy Valley on July 23, and not until last Saturday could Penn State players, fans and alumni smile again.
The Nittany Lions cruised to a 34-7 victory over Navy as quarterback Matt McGloin threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns. An emotional Beaver Stadium was packed with more than 98,000 on Saturday. Even more tears of joy likely fell on living room floors of fans watching at home. It truly felt like 14 years since something went right for Penn State football.
