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“Sandusky played for Paterno at Penn State, starting at defensive end from 1963 to 1965. And he worked for Paterno from 1969-99.”

I'm not a football fan, but I am surprised at the 800 pound gorilla sitting in the middle of the story that everyone ignores.

If someone came up to a cop and said, I just saw your brother raping a kid, think what comes next. If the cop does ANYTHING but report the incident to his superiors, he'll get crucified. Why? Too much connection between him and the alleged perp. Any involvement he has in the investigation will be considered inappropriate.

Yet even though he and Sandusky go back more than 30 years, after reporting this to his superiors, Paterno WAS supposed to stick his nose into things further?

Some kind of really twisted double standard is being applied here.

They actually go back 50 years. I agree with your analysis about Paterno considering Sandusky to be part of his family. When you listen to the tributes coming in from the former players, the most often word used is "family" and how much Paterno did for them after they left school.

Paterno knew Sandusky since he an 18 year old. He thought enough of him to hire him as an assistant coach. They worked together for 30 years and their families were close. Sandusky and his wife Dorothy "Dottie" (née Gross), whom he married in 1966, have six adopted children and took in foster children. One son, Jon Sandusky, is Director of Player Personnel for the Cleveland Browns. Another son, E. J. Sandusky, is an assistant football coach at West Chester University.

I can only imagine how hard it must have been to report Sandusky to this superiors. And I agree that expecting him to vigorously pursue prosecution given their long time personal relationship is a standard that very few can rise to. And I am sure there is an element of denial, especially if Sandusky told him that they were just "horsing around" in the shower. The entire situation is tragic for all concerned, including the victims.

Paterno has led a remarkable and exemplary life and it is a tragedy that his legacy will be stained by Sandusky's conduct.