The Nittany Turkey

Primarily about Penn State football, this is a tale told by idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

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Home Archives for Jerry Sandusky

Davy Jones Changes Tune

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While I ordinarily don’t write about other writers, I’m writing this because I find a recent not-so-subtle shift in position by the Patriot-News’ David Jones to potentially be a harbinger of a broad turn of media sentiments against the NCAA. The resulting pressure could benefit Penn State inasmuch as reducing the draconian penalties imposed last summer might be a face-saving move by Mark Emmert as media criticism mounts against the hypocritical NCAA and its Chief Hypocrite.

Jones hit two major points in an opinion piece published in his blog last Friday. First, morality and “the rules” don’t apply to the machinations of the NCAA and its leader. Second, the whole premise of the NCAA, to promote amateur collegiate athletics and protect participants from rampant commercialism is mere tongue-in-cheek hypocrisy. Hell, the major source of NCAA revenue is the annual basketball tournament. If that isn’t using amateur athletes for profit, what the hell is?

What I’m thinking is that the change in tune for Jones is significant because he was one of those who initially agreed that Penn State President Rod Erickson did the right thing by accepting his punishment and going to bed without dessert, but now he sort of kind of said that was probably necessary at the time maybe because the public sentiment demanded it. However, now that the public sentiment (however that is measured) has seemingly turned against the NCAA, Jones is hopping on that bandwagon. I think it is a good thing. One by one, the detractors are coming back into the fold. Jones’ target shifting from Penn State to the NCAA is a major win for the good guys. ESPN is showing signs of cracking, too.

So, with things heading in the right direction, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s antitrust suit against the NCAA is a stroke of legal and political genius. Way to go, Corbett! Great timing, dude! I believe that the “public sentiment” turning sour on the NCAA will create a favorable climate for moving forward. What fun this will be.

Want to read Jones’ article? Check out “Mark Emmert comes off as biggest fraud as NCAA investigates itself.”

Sandusky Scandal 2012 AP Sports Story of the Year

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For the second straight year, Penn State has bagged the AP Sports Story of the Year. In 2011, the Sandusky scandal was just over a month old when voters acknowledged the ignominious accomplishment. In 2012, there have been peaks and valleys, particularly after the Tickle Monster was convicted; however, there is no doubt that “Jer” inspired the production of more column inches by far than Lance Armstrong, the runner-up.

The New Orleans Saints’ player bounties finished third.

Votes were submitted by U.S. news organizations, who were asked to rank the top ten stories. The top story was given ten points, the second was given  nine, and so forth. Top ten results (157 ballots cast):

  1. Penn State scandal (1,420 pts.)
  2. Lance Armstrong titles stripped (1,008)
  3. New Orleans Saints bounties (724)
  4. Concussions and football (518)
  5. London Olympics (491)
  6. BCS-FBS playoffs announced (481)
  7. NFL replacement officials (394)
  8. Giants win Super Bowl (362)
  9. Pat Summitt retires (331)
  10. Peyton Manning signs with Broncos (317)

And so, here we are, still in the Hall of Notoriety, the Wall of Shame, …

The real story should have been NCAA hegemony, but no one is writing about that. Sara Ganim is at CNN now, so no chance of her reporting on it. Emmert needs to be exposed for his power mongering. Yeah, he does.

Sandusky Sent Down River

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After a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Corrections Department review, convicted child molester and former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky has been sent to the Greene State Prison, where he will serve out his sentence (and probably, his life) in protective custody. He’s still pursuing appeals, which no one expects to go anywhere.

Jerry Sandusky, hands shackled, is whisked off to county jail.Greene is a maximum security prison, classified as a “Supermax“, which contains a Death Row. Lifers there include Philadelphia serial killer Juan Covington, and three convicts await execution. This is one tough place.

“We make individual decisions based on facts,” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said in a written statement. “Given the high-profile nature of this individual, coupled with the nature of his crimes, this makes him very vulnerable in a prison setting.”

Noooo kidding, John!

(We all know from watching TV crime dramas what happens to guys like Jer in da Big House.)

Just how effective will the security measures be? Better be Biohazard Level 5 containment for Ol’ Jer.

He will not have a cellmate and will be subjected to heightened supervision and an escort when not in his cell. He will get an hour of individual exercise five days a week and three showers a week — alone, save for the escort. He will eat meals in his cell. All other services, including religion, medications, and treatment programming will be conducted in his cell.

All visits will be non-contact. No touching of or by the Tickle Monster.

Sandusky’s legal representations did not return phone calls.

This is close to home for “Jer”. His home town of “Little Washington” is a half-hour north on I-79. A further half-hour north lies the thriving, post-ferrous metropolis of Pittsburgh.

The State Correctional Institution at Greene, as it is formally known, is a maximum-security prison that houses a total of 1,800 inmates and employs 700 people.