Penn St. Student Stands Up to Angry Classmates: ‘It’s Not About Joe Paterno’
- Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:24am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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We don‘t know much about the young man you’re about to see, but we do know he had the courage to stand up to a throng of students on the Penn State University campus angry over the firing of Joe Paterno.
In the video, posted Thursday and identifying the man as a Penn St. student, the speaker can be heard trying to explain to the students that the situation isn’t about Paterno, but the kids that were allegedly victimized. On multiple occasions he says the entire focus should be on holding the university leaders “accountable.” Forty seconds into the video, the students gathered around start shouting him down. But luckily, a woman in the ground stands up for his right to address them, and he continues.
“It’s fine if you want to follow blindly — to have blind loyalty, but listen, one person does not represent this university. Joe Paterno does not represent this university,” he says.
For the most part, the young man is booed and ignored, and even made fun of for his Tony Dorsett jersey (he replies by saying Dorsett is his cousin). But a few clap and congratulate his stance. You can listen to it below:
(H/T: Business Insider)



















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Comments (159)
Jomil48
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:14amDid ever notice that when a progressive is reasoned with, they start yelling or raising their voice, if they can’t win a debate, they just shout you down. The young man showed courage.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:18amHmm, a quiet and reasoned young black man defending the rights of victims abused at the hand of a middle-aged white football coach. And a mob of drunk redneck football fans. I think I know who the liberal is.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:27amThe worst part is, the guy is absolutely right. It *is* about the abused kids, not Joe Paterno.
This is blind mob hatred and violence of the same sort as Occupiers all ofver the country.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:36amThis is why the Bible warned against Idol Gods.
They don’t care about those kids compared to their figure head. For years I’ve argued with Penn St fans about Joe Pa needing to go the way of the White Buffalo and retire for good. Their responses is simply ridiculous. They act as if Paterno was GOD himself. But with this incident, he’s nothing more than a man that had the opportunity to resurrect an ailing football program who succeeded, in my eyes at least.
So to tell the truth, I’m glad this occurred. PSU fans needed this shock to the system. They don’t know anyone else but Paterno as HC. They’ll get over it eventually, just as FSU fans did with Bowden.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:41amProgressives are incapable of reason or logic and they’re only concerned about the first amendment when the message aligns with their agenda.The kid was right the focus shouldn’t be on the coach,it should be on the victims of the heinous crime,and a fair trial for the accused.
Report Post »johnannegalt
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:47amIt’s about the kids, and the people who COVERED IT UP. They are responsible, too, and should face JUSTICE. http://markamerica.com/2011/11/10/how-could-they-cover-up-the-rape-of-children/
Report Post »Brad Wesselmann
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:57amGod is watching, it is justice they will have…keep the faith.
Report Post »Mommy_of_3
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:01amI cannot believe all the hype about Paterno being fired. He failed that young boy he knew was victimized. He compromised his morals when he didn’t insist something be done immediately. And he will have to live with that for the rest of his life.
Report Post »But what I cannot and do not understand is why McQueary didn’t stop the abuse when he saw it happening. I do not care how big the abuser is/was – I would have stopped him by any means necessary to save that child!
This young man is correct and very courageous for speaking out against his peers. He is a glimmer of hope in a world that has lost its way.
collerton
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:21amGlad to see somebody has the courage to tell the truth. This incident was reprehensible. Why didn’t the man who supposedly saw the abuse go in and beat the crap out of the guy, rescue the boy and call the police? And that was just the beginning of the cover-up.
Report Post »Discord
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:45amYour Sensei is entirely correct.
Report Post »What does this even have to do with political viewpoints anyway?
ProgressivesAreEvil
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 11:28amSensei and discord um no you are both wrong, as is anyone else linking this to progressiveism or conservatism. It’s about the foggy brains of college students who lack the common sense to think past their selfish perceptions.
These “protesters” are living in the moment, making stupid decisions based on the very surface of the situation instead of thinking deeply on what has happened and looking at it from more than just the obtuse view they routinely use.
It is sad to see that college is not helping them. The college professors may be providing them information but they are not showing them how to digest and understand it, how you must look from all the angles to make an informed decision…which is as, or perhaps more important than the information itself.
Sad really that this young man who shows such common sense and understanding seems to be in the minority at this so called “ivy league” school.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 11:34amJust another example of the immature college aged mind and herd or mob mentality (the young black guy is obviously an exception) . The other glaring example of stupidity being the OWS idiots.
Report Post »GiveUsJustice
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 11:42amMommy_of_3
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:01am
I cannot believe all the hype about Paterno being fired. He failed that young boy he knew was victimized. He compromised his morals when he didn’t insist something be done immediately. And he will have to live with that for the rest of his life.
But what I cannot and do not understand is why McQueary didn’t stop the abuse when he saw it happening. I do not care how big the abuser is/was – I would have stopped him by any means necessary to save that child!
————-
Wait Wait Wait…..
You are blaming Jo Pa and saying his morales are wrong and that he will live with this for the rest of his life… yet all you say about McQueary is that he just should have done more?????
You are as naive as the rest of the media. MCQUEARY SHOULD BE UNDER THE GUN AS WELL. Jo Pa isn’t even in the same SHOES as Mcqueary. He DIDNT WITNESS IT. MCQUEARY DID.
Jo Pa turns around and goes to someone higher than him and is in the dog house while mcqueary is getting away scott free?????
Good lord, some of you people don’t think at all when posting.
And any phrase like “mcqueary could have been fired, mocked, or told to shut up” could have happened with Jo Pa. And as for anyone that says “he was above getting fired, he could have done something” Could he? How is that sentence working out for him now?? He could have EASILY been told to keep his mouth shut, or lose his career. YOU DONT KNOW. But you do know
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:03pmJomil48: What is “progressive” about this mob? This is about child molestation and football, not progressive vs. conservative. Give the ideology a rest.
Report Post »PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:03pmThey obviously don’t care about the VICTIMS.
Report Post »WeekendAtBernankes
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:09pmGiveUsJustice is an idiot. They should all be in prison. Let’s be real here. The only way a grown man fails to report something like this to the police IMMEDIATELY upon witnessing it, hearing about it, or having any other exposure at all, is because it is systemic. I’m glad the Feds are stepping in, I don’t think S. was the only pedophile in the crew.
Also, T.B. editors, WTH is wrong with you? I see these “Sex Scandal” headlines all over your site. A Sex Scandal is a coach and an 18 year old, not an 8 year old. That’s not sex, that’s pedophilia. Don’t try to euphemize this situation.
Report Post »kmichaels
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:58pm[WeekendAtBernankes
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 1:09pm
GiveUsJustice is an idiot. They should all be in prison. Let’s be real here. The only way a grown man fails to report something like this to the police IMMEDIATELY upon witnessing it, hearing about it]
Sandusky was reported to the police in 1998. Are you sure the police are as all powerful and all knowing as you give them credit for?
Report Post »Chrono_Sleuth
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:19pm@Givesusjustice
You‘re not reading Mommy’s comments correctly. She opens with her feelings about Joe, but when she starts talking about McQueary, how she opens into discussing him is telling. She’s obviously so much more disgusted with him, it would be like saying there are no words that describe the fathoms to which this man has fallen and what should be done to him.
I have to agree, they should all be fired. Rehire the entire core.
As for the kid who stood up, it‘s a major act of courage when dealing with flagrant and angry college kids who don’t care about using their head. Hormones, alcohol, and mob mentality is dangerous, but it’s sad how many booed him, and how aggressive they were in their antagonism. I hope we see more brave souls come forward to talk about the kids. WTF has happened to the US that so many can care so little about children, and care more for a football coach? I‘m sorry I just don’t understand celebrity, there is always someone else out there who can do the job just as well if not better, and sometimes that person is sitting in a parking lot, othertimes in an office building, or they just haven’t become a head coach yet. There’s always greatness, but it’s never irreplaceable, that’s the beautify of humanity.
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:24pmI’d say the liberal is the student speaking an the shouters are probably the red necks.
Report Post »Let’s not forget it was the TEA Party, right wing brown shirts doing the SHOUTING and SCREAMING and disrupting town hall meetings in 2010!
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 6:22pmIf this young man reads this, THANK YOU for standing up and doing the right thing. Most young people do not have the self control to not join in the mob mentality. Congratulations, your attitude will take you to the top.
Report Post »toto
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:00pmThe ignorance of college students never ceases to amaze me.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:01pmYes, a young black man who proves its not the color of your skin, but………..
Report Post »Those who booed him are idiots!
Farrakan, Sharpton, and the CBC must be furious, or…. proud, or…..whatever suits them today.
NI6HTHAWK
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:52pmWhat, no repeating of what he was saying? No twinklefingers? No consensus? Is this what democracy looks like??? Nope, just pure unadulterated freedom.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 2:02amProgressives do not know to have a discussion. Typical fascist they impeach others to say something or express different ideas. Progressives bullying as we can see coercing even free speech and manipulating public opinion through the bias media which help to hide reality. You see this Communists, Revolutionaries Socialists, Radicals Islamics, they all have in common the intolerance.
Report Post »hud
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 5:28pmThe 1st commandment handles this situation, but I’m guessing nobody at Pedophile U knows it.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:13amGive college students a six pack and you have no morals! Students are susceptible to being led like cattle even with all of that education. Go figure.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:21amBeing college educated is not the same as being intelligent. The PSU riot and OWS are perfect examples of that.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:37amThis guy who walked in on a child rape session is still working at the football program ? Really ? I think thats the SOB who needs to be indicted…. He should have beat that pedophile to death with a barbell….. How could he walk away from that , and not rescue that child ?
Report Post »SRPDS
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:11pm@detroitpaperboy JoePa didn’t walk in on anything, someone else saw something adn reported it to him and that eprson reproted it to JP, who alerted the appropriate authorities at the time.
Report Post »Stevie S
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:08amYes I agree, lets hold our leaders accountable, lets fire Eric Holder and pursue questions regarding Obama’s involvement in Fast and Furious and the Solyndra scandals….
Oh, you weren’t serious?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:00pm@srpds
Report Post »I wasnt recering to Paterno, i was refering to the 23 year old student, who is now the quarterback coach, he saw a boy being raped in the shower and , ““ called his dad ””. Sorry but that was a chance for him to be a hero and do what needed to be done to rescue the child. Instead he chose to protect the football program. Trust me, he is next on the chopping block., and rightfully so.
the point
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:07amI am wondering how many rioters there would be if it were their kid who was violated???
Report Post »JimmyP
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:22amRight on, brother, sister!
Report Post »No One is above the law.
Thus begins a new era!
BuzzardSays
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:33pmDamn right, My brothers sons were molested by a next door neighbor involved in a Methodist student ministry. In that capacity he molested a bunch of his young male spiritual charges and managed to get to my brothers sons because he seemed so harmless and loving. He professed Christian values and yet hurt my nephews horribly, and my brother also in that he seeths with rage over this having occurred without his having known. My brother is an exemplary father, has a wonderful family, and still had a snake slither into their garden.
People…DO NOT TRUST ANYONE WITH YOUR CHILDREN. I DO NOT CARE IF IT IS A FORMER PRIEST, PASTOR, STATE TROOPER, COUNCILMAN, ETCETERAS. ALL MEN MUST HAVE TWO OR MORE WITNESSES WHEN DEALING WITH ANY CHILDREN. NEVER, EVER ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO BE ALONE WITH ANY MAN, OR WOMAN FOR THAT MATTER. AND ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS TO BE ALONE WITH A CHILD, NOT THEIR OWN, IS PRESUMMED TO BE A MOLESTER.
God has given us children…let us protect them like a mama bear. And then let God sort those that molest our babies into His court room quickly, and effieciently.
Report Post »lorenortiz
Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:38amYEAH! When a child is molested we are free to do what ever injustice we want, to who ever we want!
I totally agree with you! Fry everyone!
NOT!
Report Post »JimL
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:06amWhen a culture topples the Stadium walls should fall for a long way– State, Nation, International? I guess we’ll get a sense when the dust of the “controlled detonation and razing” settles.
We, the audience, knowing the judicial system is broken, do not vote for a judicial overhaul but click-on Media-Rule (Judge, Jury, Excutioneer).
The culture of corruption tosses out the old team replaces it with the new leaving the culture in place.
Report Post »tajloc
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:00amI have seen this before. Hand out a bull horn to the most vocal and least thoughtful (easier led) and you have a crowd. Lots of dollars at stake. The lack of attack on the perv makes me sick.
Report Post »Justus39
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:59amBill Clinton set the Bar now America is gone.
Report Post »faires
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:22amjUSTUS 39 Absolutely agreed!___I was sick when I heard this and didn’t wanna believe it!___ Fire them ALL, Start Fresh!__ Question remains, WHY DID the Trustees ( I use this term loosely) fire Joe Pa and NOT the man, Mcqueary who allegedly saw this heinous act, between Sandusky and a ten year old?__Why didn’t McQueary, step in and STOP Sandusky, when he saw this act, the coward!!!__I’d have all but innilated the guy, had I seen it!!!!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:57amThis young man shows that patriots come in all forms and fashion when the need arises. He faced a mob that had already proven it was willing to commit violence. Well done.
Report Post »mils
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:04amI do not understand the stand these students are taking.
Have they no morals, ethics…a sense of right and wrong?
penn seems to be all about football…nothing else. They are shallow, and their parents should be ashamed of instilling no morals in their children…
Report Post »YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:23amAt least this guy has his head screwed on straight, BRAVO!
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:54amMLS – you missed the memo – the culture of today has no sense of right or wrong – right or wrong cannot be mentioned because that would be offensive and judgemental – the meme of the left is moral relativism designed to replace the natural law of moral absolutes….
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 12:39pmHow ironic that allegedly “character-building” organized sports bring out some of the worst in people’s characters!
The coach-athlete relationship has been serving the purposes of pedophiles since ancient Greece.
The win-at-all-costs competitiveness of big athletics encourages moral blindness, as do similar attitudes (”greed is good, etc.”) in business and politics.
Fandom all too easily slides into mobdom and thuggery, if greased by alcohol and a lack of critical intelligence.
Naturally, critical intelligence is what colleges are supposed to develop, compounding the irony in this case.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:56amIt’s very nice to see a young man with the courage and leadership to stand up for what is right. The countless victims need to come first and foremost, not a football coach, not the $50,000,000.00 in revenues the football program brings to Penn State providing for the motive to keep this hush hush. The only thing that matters is justice for the victims that had their innocence taken from a sick sick sick pedophile.
Report Post »jujubean
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:00pmyes and we don’t blacks standing by Michael“KINGOFPEDOPHILES”Jackson…..or idiots like you
Report Post »proudfather2
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:55amI would say that the ratio is just about right, smart well spoken person for every 10,000 that comes out of our “ institution of higher learning”
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:49amThis young man has courage and integrity. He knows he is going to have some friends and acquaintances who will no longer want his company.
Report Post »“What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular.” This young man is a patriot.
Mommy_of_3
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:55amAbsolutely!
“I do not make decisions because they are easy, popular or convenient. I make them because they are right.”
This is a young man to be admired.
Report Post »Jomil48
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:47amThe students are only following the example of their socialist teachers. Every time a football player got into real trouble down town, Paterno had it swept under the rug, for the good of the team. I hope the investigation blows the lid off all the cover-ups.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:25amThis mob and the riots would have never happened if they announced it at 7am the next day. What you have here is a a bunch of young adults who for the most part have never been outside and free of the schooling system. All life is for most people until they graduate college, is school, work(maybe), party. They don’t have the ability to step back and reflect since they never had to yet. But now they have, they will learn from this and grow as human beings as they get older. But for now their emotions are all over the place and mightily confused. I won’t judge them for what they do, or what they say, for the day will come when they will regret those actions.
Good job for this kid speaking out. There are many more like him at Old State. I just hope the people who are casting the stones around here, put them down. You do no good other then spout hate when there needs to be a time of reflection and understanding.
Report Post »aggiebrewer
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:27amAnd your evidence of other cover ups is?
Report Post »Not supporting Paterno in this mess but painting with broad brush is not intellectually honest.
tailwind
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:33pmYou are so wrong about this. He would kick them off the team.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:45amThe young man tried to voice an opinion the MOB did not want to hear and in true mob fashion he gets shouted down. There is no reasoned debate when a mob is involved as we have seen time and time again.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:43amDidn‘t hear you crying about the tea party mobs at the town hall meetings shouting down people who said thing the teathugs didn’t want to hear.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:12am@ old…….Tired old rhetoric only a liberal believes.
Report Post »BrandyWilson
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:43am…If you think this is bad… it’s about to go nuclear ….there is a murder attached to this outrage!….That‘s why everybody’s got high priced atty’s!
Report Post »thankyouvets
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:43amThis guy is brave to stand up and speak. Good job!!
Lukerw, the kids who were abused , I thought for the most part, they are kids who dont have the best family situations to begin with. Thats why they get singled out from predators like sandusky.
My daughter is a freshman at PSU , she was embarrassed by the ugly display of rioting. She said that was such a small amt of the students (considering the ~40000 that attend) that the media kept its focus on. I hope PSU will become stronger from this and I pray that the victims get the help they need.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:43amPenn State is going to be paying out millions to these kids and rightfully so. You would think that after seeing how badly the Catholic church handled similar issues and how bad it was for them, Penn State would have handled this the right way.
Report Post »Dist3
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:40amEvery member of our society has an ethical obligation to step in and protect the life of other human beings. This young stood alone before a mob and what he said was completely accurate. We must hold our leaders accountable, and beyond that hold ourselves accountable. Our leaders represent us, an unaccountable society prop up leaders who are unaccountable and then tyranny begins.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 10:24pmwe could start with those in our govt.
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:40amThis kid has courage to go against this mod mentality. What bothers me is what has happened in our colleges that diversity of opinion is shouted down. If you are conservative in thought on anything at that age you may feel reluctant to speak up. It is a shame. This is horrific that these kids would not support the victims.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:38am“It’s fine if you want to follow blindly” – Vote Obama 2012 slogan?
Report Post »roxy
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:37amEveryone read “Alfie’s Home”. It’s about homosexuality. (Not a pretty book, but the content is true.) When your victimized like that you become like them.
Report Post »sheephat
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:33amI am sooooo HAPPY that your “joe pa” is gone. He is second worst in this line of shitheads. He did NOTHING to stop child rape. He is a terrible person and should have been fired. All those stupid kids at Penn need to grow up.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:41amNo, no-you don’t understand! Gays don’t prey on young boys, they just “love differently”! You’ve all just bigoted homophobes. Isn’t that what the gay activists have been trying to tell us?
This is sick and sad beyond belief.
Report Post »tailwind
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 2:39pmyour so full of crap..
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:32amOh my, bless that young man. He’s trying to actually reason with those brain dead heathens and they simply refuse to open their eyes to the truth! They ARE blind followers. Why the hell aren’t they rioting AGAINST those who stood by and did NOTHING to protect those innocent children from being victimized? WTH is WRONG with them?????
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:30am.
That kid spoke the truth….
Where is Ed Rendell in this mess? He was Gov during that time, and he had to know. Blaze ya’ll need to send someone to talk to Ed, I bet he knew and said nothing too…..Was he a Penn St donor?……
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 9:11amHow do you come to the conclusion that the Governor of a state “has to know” about everything that is going on in a State University? You make this moronic claim as being a fact and then use that as justification for persecuting the former Governor. Your whole premise is asinine.
Report Post »Claire22
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:30amGood for him…gives me some hope in this awful situation.
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:43amThe abused children have been lost in this ..
All the names need to come out ALL OF THEM those who knew and allowed the pedophiles to continue this atrocity against innocent children and to remain involved in children’s lives.
They looked the other way and NOW that it has come to light we cannot allow the “ADULTS” to look the other way again .. its time to name names and then prosecute.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:28amHe is Wrong… this is about the PARENTS who did not report it to the POLICE! This is about CRIME, not SPORTS nor EDUCATION!
Report Post »dsm
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:32amI agree!!
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 8:37amHow are you sure the parents knew? Kids do not always tell.
Report Post »WAKEUPUSA2012
Posted on November 11, 2011 at 3:25pmTHE POLICE KNEW ABOUT IT. So did the courts and the campus cops. This has been going on for a long time. They were pimping out these kids to wealthy doners. And kids hardly ever tell their parents if they get raped
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