To Hell with the Statue - jmik58's Blog

jmik58's Blog

To Hell with the Statue Stuck

Posted on July 27, 2012 at 09:11 AM.

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I'm glad it's gone. That metallic idol that would have reminded so many of how an institution failed so many youth.

For those that want to remember the good things that Joe Paterno accomplished throughout his life, try the same tactic that Jerry Sandusky's victims have to try not to do each day of their lives.

Remember him in vivid detail in your mind -- in stories.

You see, stories are where men belong. Not formed into idols; landmarks for the greatest of goods that each of them stood for. Because we all know that deep under that hard bronze core is a gaping cavern of darkness.

The outer shell hides the true balance that makes up man. The things that make us ordinary men -- vulnerability, weaknesses, and humility.

Stories are powerful not only because they allow us to remember, but because we know they inherently possess the characteristic of embellishment. They beg to be questioned. We smile and laugh at the fish stories of heroes -- partly because they make us feel good, and also because we know there's an element of fabrication to them.

But to erect a statue for those still walking among us might be even more of a ludicrous act. For those who have passed, the symbol of their human form can act as a great conversation piece.

The difference, however, is that the deceased have completed their story. We have had an opportunity to assess their entire life's work. We're better equipped to decipher if their story is worthy of immortalization through the construction of a statue or other means.

For some reason -- Joe Paterno's couldn't wait. But he isn't alone. Albert Pujols, Bud Selig, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, and even Nick Saban are among the flesh-and-blood sports stars with statues already standing in their honor.

They have been immortalized before their final chapter has been written -- already awarded for an unfinished story.

A better way exists. To tell the stories of ordinary living men we should be doing the one thing the Penn State scandal denied so many victims: Using our voices instead of bowing to idols.

How do you feel about statues of living "heroes" and "stars"?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.

Comments

# 1 rudeworld @ Jul 27

Really, the statue could of and should of came down faster. It wasn't the fact that he did bad things, we all do things that we regret and tuck them in our "closet" or lapse in judgments, but if they are as terrible as what the MONSTER and his Hench men did, there was NO WAY IN HELL that that statue should have been up once anyone in power found out what was going on. If any "star" or "hero" is found to have done anything like what coach pa did then down would go his/her statue too. GOOD QUESTION BUT EASY ANSWER!!

# 2 Irishwhiskey119 @ Jul 27

lol. Whatever. People just wanted to see someone burn. Everyone that was guilty was paying or about to pay before the statue or sanctions. One of the victims didn't like the at the statue was being taken down. Just a weird sick society that LOVES it when people fail so they can feel entitled to criticize. Jealousy or insecurity or inferiority complex, idk.

# 3 ewig @ Jul 27

Nicely written.

# 4 jWILL253 @ Jul 27

I'm not siding with JoePa at all here, but... calm down with all the sensationalization, man...

# 5 footballfan41 @ Jul 28

If your a true Man, and believe how this guys will be Judged...we are best not to judge them, Cause trust me brother the Man that will get to Judge this people will be way Worse in them, then any words we could say...but I will say don't think I will be praying for them....

# 6 32 @ Jul 29

When the TRUTH comes out i can't wait to see what you guys think then.

# 7 BizDevConglomerate @ Jul 31

I'm from Jersey, Penn St. Is apart of our Saturday's. My little nephew is 5 and disbelieved in the Allegation. Many top players that leave home choose Penn St. If Notre Dame or USC HASN'T GOBBLED THEM UP. However loyalty has its borders and limitations. Joe Pa was wrong, childrens lives were ruined, and we as a nation have been split between justice or idolatry. The many years of greatness and numerous celebrated alum can not hold as a defense of the pig skin that was dropped in this matter. My final question is. Did Joe really pass or did he force the hand of time, knowing he would face the fire surrounding this case?