# It's time to officially Pit Joe Paterno and the Penn State football program. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167 "2011-11-07T14:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 63
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1241 "2011-11-18T19:37:33Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > Boeheim better hope he’s done his homework – he didn’t just deny the allegations on behalf of Fine, he repeatedly called the accusers “liars” yesterday. Tell me if this sounds familiar: Syracuse U. heard about the accusation in 2010 and also looked into it but said they couldn’t find proof. Boeheim may end up looking like a jerk but at least nobody’s saying he knew something was wrong and failed to tell the police. One accuser went to ESPN and a local paper years ago, but they didn’t report on it because they couldn’t substantiate anything. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1242 "2011-11-18T19:46:17Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > What Red Sox case, you ask? Exactly. I came across this story on another board and kept waiting for it be mentioned in this thread, given the similarities to the Penn State mess. Really makes you wonder WTF is going on with this pedophilia mess. Have we stumbled upon an epidemic or is this all just a coincidence? Fitzpatrick has Sandusky to thank for keeping the spotlight off of him, is all I can say. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1243 "2011-11-18T20:01:06Z")
Just noticed why there is no spot light on Donald Fitzpatrick. It’s because this all was investigated some time ago and: > [@Huffington Post](#): > > In 2002 Fitzpatrick accepted a plea deal. He would serve no jail time, get a 10-year suspended sentence and 15 years of probation, according to reports. Perhaps if Paterno et al. had reported Sandusky to the cops in a timely manner, the man could have lucked out with a sweet deal like Fitzpatrick got. No jail, just probation. Now, he won’t be so lucky. Let this be a lesson to us all. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1244 "2011-11-18T20:16:01Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > The state of Pennsylvania is justifiably famous for the quantity and quality of its snack food offerings. > [@jayjay](#): > > Okay, I’ll concede this, given that I live less than an hour from both Berlin and Hanover, of the respective Snyders, and grew up in Altoona, home of the original Benzel’s Bretzels factory. I love that, in a thread where people have been accused of being hysterical lynch mobsters or, alternately, pedophilia apologists, at least we can agree on snack foods. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1245 "2011-11-18T20:39:14Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > I love that, in a thread where people have been accused of being hysterical lynch mobsters or, alternately, pedophilia apologists, at least we can agree on snack foods. 🙂 Actually, **Mr. Moto** has been fairly firmly on the same side as me on the Paterno/Penn State issue. Now, on a WHOLE lot of other stuff… ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1246 "2011-11-18T20:42:52Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Actually, **Mr. Moto** has been fairly firmly on the same side as me on the Paterno/Penn State issue. Now, on a WHOLE lot of other stuff… Yeah, I didn’t mean him in particular. I just love the unifying appeal of salty snacks. Damn, I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1247 "2011-11-18T20:52:41Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Yeah, I didn’t mean him in particular. I just love the unifying appeal of salty snacks. > > Damn, I’m hungry. The Grandma Utz variety I linked to is the one to go for as it is – as the weblink proudly proclaims – fried in 100% pure lard. ---
**Author:** ![Sinsaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sinsaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinsaint)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1248 "2011-11-18T21:08:11Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > The Grandma Utz variety I linked to is the one to go for as it is – as the weblink proudly proclaims – fried in 100% pure lard. We also have Middleworth. And for the sweet tooth we have Hershey. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1249 "2011-11-18T22:00:47Z")
Wire’s reporting JP has a “treatable form of lung cancer,” according to his son, in an announcement that has nothing to do with a transparent bid for sympathy. > **[Son: Paterno has treatable form of lung cancer](https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/7251867/joe-paterno-treatable-form-lung-cancer-according-son-scott)** > > Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, according to his son. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1250 "2011-11-18T22:13:32Z")
Boy, I bet Penn State feels bad now! Also, did you know Paterno wears glasses? You wouldn’t sue a man with glasses, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Sinsaint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sinsaint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinsaint)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1251 "2011-11-18T22:21:06Z")
> [@Huerta88](#): > > Wire’s reporting JP has a “treatable form of lung cancer,” according to his son, in an announcement that has nothing to do with a transparent bid for sympathy. > > [Joe Paterno has treatable form of lung cancer, according to son Scott - ESPN](http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7251867/joe-paterno-treatable-form-lung-cancer-according-son-scott) I’m no JoePa fan but this might explain why he transfered his house to his wife (no estate taxes on the house should he die). I wish him the best in his treatment and recovery. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1252 "2011-11-18T22:21:09Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Yeah, I didn’t mean him in particular. I just love the unifying appeal of salty snacks. > > Damn, I’m hungry. My favorite pretzels are Bachman’s Twist Pretzels and they are made in Pennsylvania. It pains me to say the word Bachman these days. So I called them up and asked them to change their name. They said, “Why should we change our name? She’s the one that sucks.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1253 "2011-11-18T22:23:02Z")
> [@Sinsaint](#): > > We also have Middleworth. And for the sweet tooth we have Hershey. For the trifecta: [http://www.ashers.com/products/22-1-lb-chocolate-covered-potato-chips](http://www.ashers.com/products/22-1-lb-chocolate-covered-potato-chips) ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1254 "2011-11-18T22:23:51Z")
> [@Sinsaint](#): > > I’m no JoePa fan but this might explain why he transfered his house to his wife (no estate taxes on the house should he die). I wish him the best in his treatment and recovery. I’m no tax lawyer, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1255 "2011-11-18T22:24:25Z")
If nothing else, this scandal is proving that truth will always be stranger than fiction because truth doesn’t have to make sense. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1256 "2011-11-19T00:07:06Z")
> [@Sinsaint](#): > > I’m no JoePa fan but this might explain why he transfered his house to his wife (no estate taxes on the house should he die). I wish him the best in his treatment and recovery. Well, I am a fan of Paterno and think we should wait until the facts are out before condemning him, but the report I read said the cancer was diagnosed just last weekend during a follow up exam for a bronchial illness he’s had. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1257 "2011-11-19T00:15:28Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Well, I am a fan of Paterno and think we should wait until the facts are out before condemning him, but the report I read said the cancer was diagnosed just last weekend during a follow up exam for a bronchial illness he’s had. So you’re saying he did not have a very good week last week. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1258 "2011-11-19T01:04:04Z")
Yeah, pretty much. Short of somebody dying, it’s hard to imagine how it could be worse. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1259 "2011-11-19T01:15:32Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Yeah, pretty much. Short of somebody dying, it’s hard to imagine how it could be worse. Could be worse. Could be raped up the ass by an old dude. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167/1260 "2011-11-19T01:21:12Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Could be worse. Could be raped up the ass by an old dude. And then have powerful people not report it to the proper authorities. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=62) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-to-officially-pit-joe-paterno-and-the-penn-state-football-program/602167.md?page=64)