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Some of you may remember Mike McQueary.  He was the quarterback for Penn State in 1996 and 1997, and a pretty successful one at that.  After several attempts to play professional football, McQueary returned to Penn State is 2000 as a graduate assistant coach.

He testified to the grand jury that in 2002 he witnessed Sandusky molesting a young boy in the locker room at Penn State.  He testified that he first called his father and then on his father's advice, told Joe Paterno about the incident.

Many of those who are trying to salvage Paterno's reputation have attempted to question McQueary's testimony and his motives for reporting what he claims he saw.  I've yet to see someone postulate a credible motive as to why this young man would make up a story like this and take it to Paterno.   Along with the sworn testimony of almost ten men now in their 20's, this has been more than enough evidence to justify removing Paterno from his job immediately (legal issues are another matter.  Unfortunately, many people don't seem to understand the difference.  The Constitution, which I've read, gives nobody the right to coach a football team).

The majority of people who are following this story want to hang McQueary from a lamp post for not calling the police.  I don't blame them.  McQueary spit the bit on this.  When he saw that no action was being taken by Paterno, he should have gone to the police.  Someone had to take Sandusky off the streets.

However, I have some sympathy for McQueary.  At the time, he was just a 22 year old guy trying to get started in a career where there are very few opportunities.  To go over Paterno's head would have surely meant immediate career suicide.  Technically, he may have fulfilled some responsibilities by reporting this to Paterno, but in the big picture he failed miserably. 

As of the time I write this, he is still penciled in to coach on Saturday.  Although I have some understanding for a 22 year olds lack of judgement, he must pay the price for his mistake and be fired from Penn State immediately.

For Paterno, there are no excuses.  He's more than a mature adult who bears full responsibility for not taking down his right hand man Sandusky.  He chose power and reputation over doing the right thing.