Whitt's End 11.11.11

*I'm not ready to riot in the streets, flip over TV trucks or blindly throw rocks at police just because a football team may not win on Saturday. But, as I've said from the start of this scandal, I am prepared to hear facts and look into details before condemning Joe Paterno, the man, to a life of disgrace and shame. I refuse to be a part of the knee-jerky masses that simply react with emotion and scream for Paterno to be burned at the stake. Rather, I want to look at the case from all angles and perhaps ask unique questions. I also clearly want to state that he didn't do enough. Nope. As he stated, "I wish I would've done more." That statement alone is haunting. Chilling. But I also don't get how critics say he did nothing, the bare minimum or is just as responsible for Jerry Sandusky for the child abuse crimes. Think about these facts before you light your torches, pick up your pitchforks and demand Penn State be turned into the State Pen. Paterno's Grand Jury testimony totally differs from Mike McQueary. After witnessing the alleged 2002 shower scene, McQueary says he told Paterno in explicit, graphic details about fondling of a sexual nature. Paterno says he was told an ambiguous story about "horseplay." Remember, the Grand Jury didn't indict Joe Pa because the stories didn't jive. Yes, Paterno should have called 911. Instead, he relayed the info from McQueary to athletic director Tim Curley and campus police chief administrator Gary Schulz, who later became the school's VP. In addition, Paterno called two meetings on the matter. He did more than nothing. And no, the fact that I believe Paterno should've been allowed to coach out his final season on his terms has nothing to do with the fact that I don't have kids of my own. It has to do with Paterno's 61 years of doing great (0 major sanctions, impeccable graduation rate among players, helping over 10,000 players and students in a positive manner and over $10 million donated to the school) balanced alongside his not doing enough in an isolated incident. Jerry Sandusky is the criminal here. You wouldn't know it if you listen to the mainstream media dog pile, but Joe Paterno didn't lay a hand on anyone.

*As far as McQueary, I have questions. And a conspiracy theory. Why, as a 28-year-old grad assistant, did he not physically break up the child abuse in the shower? If he saw what he saw, why did he – less than a month later, mind you – play in a Second Mile (Sandusky's children's charity organization) Golf Tournament and continue to assist Sandusky at fund-raising events? And how is it that the president, VP, AD and head coach have all been fired in the wake of the scandal, but the only person who actually witnessed the 2002 shower scene survived? And how is it that the supposed 10-year-old boy that was allegedly sodomized in that shower has never come forward? It would certainly help prosecute Sandusky. The Pennsylvania State Attorney General has begged for him or anyone close to him to provide details. So far, the only details are from McQueary. Sandusky, remember, has plead innocent to all charges. What if the boy hasn't come forward because … there is no boy? What if McQueary, a former PSU player under Sandusky, made the whole story up? Why would he do that? Why would he want to hurt Sandusky? Think about it.

*When I tell you today is a day like no other, I mean it. Happy 11-11-11. Never before. Never again. I've read a couple places that it's a "once-a-century occurrence." But, um, since there are only 12 months and no more than 31 days, having the calendar read six identical numbers can never happen again. Right? 22-22-22 ain't possible. And I don't think we started with 00-00-00 did we? We've lived through 9-9-99 and 10-10-10, but never 11-11-11. Surprised more Mayans and doomsdayers aren't predicting the end today.

*I think the Cowboys are going to beat the Bills Sunday in Arlington. But I'll guarantee it won't be as wild as the last time the teams met. Monday Night Football in Oct. of 2007 the Cowboys survived six Tony Romo turnovers – two interceptions returned for touchdowns – and a 103-yard kickoff return in one of the most unlikely rallies in franchise history. Dallas scored nine points in the final 20 seconds, thanks to a recovered onside kick and game-winning, 53-yard field goal by Nick Folk at the gun. Cowboys 25, Bills 24. Wow.

*Welcome back, Chain Gailey. He should've never been fired after leading the Cowboys to consecutive playoff appearances in '98-99.

*Hey look! Your Dallas Stars are in first place in th … Sorry, I dozed off before I could finish that sentence. But people who actually watch hockey tell me they don't suck.

*Hot 

*Not 

*If I'm the Texas Rangers, I get Tanner Scheppers out of Venezuela. Now.

*Memorial Day = Remembering those who died. Veterans Day = Honoring those who served. Yep, flying my flag today.

*Speaking of our armed forces, Michigan State and North Carolina will play a basketball game on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson tonight. The thing is big enough to hold 72 jets, is powered by two nuclear reactors and is the ship that dumped Osama bin Laden in the sea. I'll never understand how something that big and heavy floats. And don't even try explaining it to me.

*Latest "new" trend companies are trying to claim you can't live without: Artisan. Pizza. Chips. Bread. Everything. We're such sheep. Just herd us in the general direction of everyone else and we'll be fine. From fashion to food, we basically just consume whatever they prepare for us.

*The Cowboys will spend their next three training camps in Oxnard, California. I know most of the media is rejoicing because of the weather. But I ain't happy. I love Texas. I love Texas summers. I love a margarita on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. And, besides, inside the Alamodome it was always 68 degrees. I don't get the pansy media most of the time. Even though, yes, I'm part of it.

*Should be headed over to AAC tonight for Mavs-Grizzlies. %$#@*&^!!!!

*UFC goes mainstream Saturday with UFC on Fox 1. Junior Dos Santos told RAGE yesterday that he will knock out Cain Velasquez in the 2nd round. Bold.

*Was gonna get fired up about the Texas high school football playoffs, then I looked at the brackets and saw a smattering of teams with records of 2-8. That's more screwed up than the BCS.

*Maybe there's hope for this world after all. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles this week voted down a license plate depicting the "Sons of Confederate Texans" draped in the Stars 'n Bars flag. Finally some common sense.

*When Jason Witten catches his 2nd pass Sunday against Buffalo he'll be third all-time in receptions among NFL tight ends. Only Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe will have more. We underrate the guy. With a smidge more playoff success he's a Hall of Famer.

*Talked to former Cowboys' and Penn State offensive lineman Tom Rafferty yesterday. 4-year starter in the '70s for Paterno and played while Sandusky was linebackers coach. Like a lot of alums, he can't fathom Paterno turning a blind eye armed with knowledge of child abuse in his locker room. "No way Joe should have been fired," says Rafferty. Good news on his health front. Beset by transverse myelitis out of nowhere in 2008, he was confined to a walker/wheelchair for almost two years. Recovering yet not fully recovered, he recently ran a 5k. Bravo!

*Tony Romo appeared on lists of the NFL's most "overrated" and "disliked" this week. Ouch.
*Thanks to a new endorsement deal, Greggo and I are now tootling around in new cars courtesy of Vandergriff Honda. I'm in the 2012 Honda Pilot SUV. Suh-weet.

*Who's collapse is more epic: The Texas Rangers or the Texas Governor? After his brain freeze during the debate this week, I give Perry credit for mocking himself on David Letterman last night. His No. 1 reason for not being able to name the three government agencies he'd disband? "I just learned Justin Bieber is my father." Funny.

*Did something for the first time in my life this week: Took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fan Sports Lounge is officially open for bidness. I suggest eating Sybil's chili. Spicy.

*This weekend? Puttin' on my best leather and headed tonight to Lizard Lounge for Dallas' annual Fetish Ball. Disturbathon last month and now this. Yep, it's been a freaky Fall. On Saturday I'm going to catch up with the Rangers fan who was savagely attacked in the Ballpark parking lot after an ALCS game. And on Sunday, of course, it's Cowboys-Bills at Cowboys Stadium, official 105.3 The Fan pre-game show on the West Plaza at 9 a.m. sharp. Don't be a stranger.