Paterno

It seems that most of the "eulogies" about Joe Pa's legacy were delivered after Penn State fired him in the wake of the Sandusky scandal.  But here are few good reflections in the wake of Paterno's death on Sunday morning:

New York Times: Peter Thamel, "For Paterno, Lover of Classics, Tragic Fall to a Legacy."

Chicago Tribune: David Haugh, "Paterno Latest Reminder That Extraordinary Leaders Make Mistakes in Judgment Too."

As a historian, I think that there are a few things we have to remember as we assess the legacy of Joe Paterno.

1. It is difficult to give a fair assessment of Paterno's legacy while we are still caught up in the emotions of his death and the whole Sandusky affair.

2.  When we put our confidence in people, whether they lived in the past or live in the present, we are likely to be inspired by them, but we are just as likely to be disappointed.  There are no heroes in history--we are flawed human beings.  There are no villains in history--we, in the eyes of God, all possess dignity and worth.