I have to say that I’ve been tempted many times during this past week of hell to “speak my piece” many, many times. I did have a chance to voice my opinion during an interview with WJET TV this week, but my fingers have been itching to hit the keys almost every night. With the week now in my review mirror, here’s my much-more-calmer view on Penn State. Please put your seat in an upright position and fasten your seat belts for this one.

First of all, I think that Joe Paterno took a big big hit on this one. If you watched any of the reports on the news during the week and turned the volume off, you’d think that was the one who personally sexually abused these kids. The “shock and awe” media did a great job, with everyone from Anderson Cooper, “Dr. Keith” and Ashton Kutcher weighing in.

My first point: Joe did what he was supposed to do with the information he had. In the end, he reported it “up the chain” and his career got tangled in the very same chain.

Yep – he could have done more. We all could do more. Please take a moment to look at your life and tell me you can’t think of one single thing that you regret.  I am SO SICK of these self-sanctimonious ”news” anchors and their opinions because they attempt to come across as experts on everything when in fact they know nothing.  They are just news-readers and couldn’t carry Joe’s morning coffee to him without spilling it.

The fact of the matter is that Joe didn’t do anything illegal. He just made a very big mistake in judgement nine years ago, and he’s out.

How does Curley get administrative leave – with pay, no less – and Joe gets fired? Really? Curley was Joe’s boss, and did nothing with the information that Joe gave him – and he’s still on the payroll?

“Tarnished” Legacy: Sorry, but you just can’t do so much good for 62 years and have it all taken away in one week. I know that Joe had to go – there was no way he could be on TV during the game this week – but Jeez –  how about just putting him on “administrative leave” until the end of the season and then make him retire? He earned the right to be treated much better than this.

The Greatest Scandal in College Sports History: Not true. Nice tag-line for  CNN and ESPN, but this was NOT a “sports” scandal. The team did not break any rules and neither did the coaching staff. Instead, this would be more accurately named for what it really is: a major college ethics scandal. This whole problem goes from the football administration to the university president. The football program as a whole is still clean as of this time, meaning no NCAA violations. Period.

On shutting down the entire football program: I could say a lot, but hey – why didn’t we just eliminate the Presidency after Clinton had oral sex in the Oval Office with an intern? Again,  people are entitled to their opinions, but that is just crazy-talk.

On the football team: These are sterling young men who have been trained from day one in the program to take responsibility for their own actions and to focus on what is in front of them. Arguably some of the finest young men you would ever meet and be fortunate enough to hire. They walk a very fine line being student-athletes at one of the most visible college football programs in the land, and they do it the right way – the Joe Paterno way.

On Saturday’s game: If you missed it, it was one of those moments in your life that you’ll never forget. 107,000 people showed up to gather, mourn, grieve, comfort, and to support their team. A class act from start to finish…I don’t know who was in control of putting this together, but Penn State certainly turned the corner on national TV on Saturday…these people showed up not knowing what to expect amidst threats of protests, violence and even a bomb threat at Beaver Stadium right before game time. They don’t just love the football team – they love Penn State and came to stand in silent support of a University that is under siege. At the end of the game, nobody left…they stayed until they could cheer the team as they left for the locker room. Over 80 former PSU players flew in from around the world to be on the sidelines in quiet support of the program that means so much to them.

On Jerry Sandusky: How is this guy not in jail? Are you kidding me?

Personally: It’s been a constant process for the last 7 days with co-workers, family members and nasty remarks and comments on my past Penn State articles and YouTube videos…as always, the great unwashed among us have more time than most to troll the internet to find people to attack. I was fortunate enough to be one of them this week.  I’m not removing or deleting anything I have written or produced about Penn State, because that would make me a coward.

I was fortunate enough to have a conference call with the new coach, Tom Bradley and his staff this week…he gave all of us parents his personal cell phone number should we have any questions about the program or our kids. Nice.

The Silver Lining: Today, almost every person in America knows much more about the horrors and silence of child abuse. My hope and dream is that Penn State will develop a world-class training program to end it. Perhaps take the profits from the football team – after normal expenses for scholarships and housing – and create the greatest program in the world that  is dedicated to exposing and eradicating child abuse. I would expect nothing less.

In closing: At one time this week, I sadly took down my Penn State flag out of both embarrassment and also for concern of having a brick thrown through my front window…today, the flag is back up and snapping in the wind in front of my home. Before Saturday’s game – my normal ritual – I put it back up. After Saturday’s game, I’m proud to keep it there.

I love Penn State.

WE ARE…STILL…PENN STATE!