“I’d cut the family a little slack.”
Sorry, but I have to disagree. There is ample evidence that Joe Pa knew exactly what was going on and did nothing. He is, therefore a man of no character or principles. The family has to know that this was the case now. If they were class folks, they would be as quiet as they could. Joe Pa “arranged” to renegotiate his contract early so they are all rolling in taxpayers money. They need to just STFU! This is the dogshit theory in action. “The more that they step in it, the worse it will smell.”
I think that the Paterno family will eventually quiet down. Best guess. OTOH, there are legal matters facing the family now (potential lawsuits), so I can imagine that they are being told to take a public position by their lawyers. Time we live in. Everything is driven by the lawyers & the PR-types.