Pa. governor: Joe Paterno should have done more

Penn State coach Joe Paterno stands on the field before his team's NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill., Oct. 22, 2011. / P Photo/Jim Prisching

(AP) PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says he wishes former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno had done more after telling university officials about child molestation accusations against an assistant coach.

Corbett says he and his fellow university trustees were right to fire the legendary Paterno last fall because he failed to follow up on an allegation against Jerry Sandusky.

The Republican governor's remarks came Thursday during an interview with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.

Corbett says Paterno's responsibility continued beyond his legal obligation to report an allegation of an attack inside the university's athletic facilities in 2002.

Sandusky later was charged with sexually abusing several boys. He denies the allegations.

Paterno said just before his firing he wished he'd done more. He died of lung cancer in January at age 85.

[erpicferl]

sad that this guy is still a hero in PN. i know you guys don't have much to cheer about there in the rust belt but damn.

[70John76]

The Gas Well Governor should just let the justice system do it's job and see what testimony comes out before he opens his political mouth. Easy to past judgement on someone who cannot defend himself. I believe the Governor was or is a trustee also....hmmmm?? Diverting responsibility???? Stick to your non-paying tax free Gas well drilling companies!!! Oh and let the PUC raise our natural gas prices again!!!

[raymailhot]

I believe the best thing to get out of all this and I hope Joe would agree is:

"No professional image is worth the price of one child"!

"No professional image is worth the price of one woman"!

"No professional image is worth the price of one person"!

[wlhoppers]

This guy has a lot of class - kicking a dead man to hide his own culpability.

Governor Corbett, you're as guilty as the rest of them. I think Paterno did exactly what he knew to be correct at the time but you sure don't.

[tcaldie]

The governor is an idiot. Yah, JP left the mess and allegations up to the authorities, who are supposedly trained to handle these situations, to deal with it. Everyone knew there was funny business going on in 1998, including the Trustees, that is why Sandusky was forced to retire. So a pox on all their houses. RIP JP.

[Badgerfanz]

Yeah but our Gov is more of an idiot than yours we are stuck with Scott Walker.............

[joe1022joe]

This is just CYA for the governor. Paterno held up his end of the log. Others didn't. The governor and the other trustees did the cowardly thing. They fired a guy who did nothing wrong to try to save themselves. I'd like to names of all the trustees who voted to fire Paterno published on the big news websites.

[mjlewis6]

Yep, Governor, take a walk.

Paterno did not see anything, first off.
Second, he passed the info UP THE LINE to deal with it.
Third, the actual witness DID NOTHING else with his info.
Fourth, whatever coverup did not include Paterno.
Fifth, Paterno did not plea the Fifth at any time.
Last, Paterno was doing what he loved, FOOTBALL, period.

Governor, you are doing a bit of Monday night quaterbacking...
It is over, especially for Paterno.

[OldProfessor]

Republican Gov. Corbett is like a cat in sandbox....covering his own mess.

Joe Paterno acknowledged his mistake; Corbett might consider following Paterno's example.

[rightontarget]

Amen to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[wlhoppers]

Well said

[stupa5]

The worms are not even in the casket yet ...like this gov knows what he's talking about get real let the guy RIP!

[Montana5]

Thanks, Gov, for your timely and insightful comments and to CBS for picking up this who-gives-a-crap story.

[wlhoppers]

Right on both counts