Sandusky verdict not measured in wins, losses

The reporters have departed, the cameras turned off.

One week later, all is quiet again in Pennsylvania — except for the screams.

Yes, it’s been called a night of redemption and considered a great victory.

But the Jerry Sandusky verdict that came down last Friday night should hardly be considered a successful outcome, when this is truly a story of monumental failure.

It is a monumental failure on the part of us all, of society’s failure to protect children, and no one should be more ashamed than the Penn State University football program, the late Joe Paterno and all around him who knew.

By the time Sandusky was sent to prison last week it had been 10 years since Mike McQueary reported seeing a young boy assaulted in the showers at the football building.

Ten years.

In those 10 years, how many more boys’ lives were ruined? Was it 10, 20, 100 or even 200?

We will never know, but we do know Sandusky could have been stopped 10 years ago had Paterno not swept it under his royal blue and white rug.

And if Paterno and his bosses knew, you can be certain many more knew, including those in the administration who reportedly conspired, obstructed and covered it up.

The shame will forever be on those in the football program who covered their eyes and ears to the screams of terrified children, all in the name of money and glory.

Last November, after the scandal broke, it was none other than Barry Switzer who insisted that the Penn State coaching staff had to know what Sandusky was up to.

“Having been in this profession a long time and knowing how close coaching staffs are, I knew that this was a secret that was kept secret,” Switzer told the Oklahoman. “Everyone on that staff had to have known.

“You think that (an assistant coach) hasn’t told someone else? His wife? His father? People knew. The community knew.

“There are more people culpable than just Joe Paterno and the athletic director. There are so many other people that have thought, ‘I could’ve done something about this, too,’ that didn’t come forward.”

Through many conversations over the years with victims like Theo Fleury and Sheldon Kennedy — who have bravely come forward with their horrific stories in hopes of saving others — we’ve learned the monsters who perpetrate such crimes count on the silence of those who suspect something wrong.

They prey on those in need of parenting, friendship, money or love. They search out those who lack the instincts or knowledge. They find the children who can’t fight for themselves and have no one to fight for them.

They count on the community looking the other way in the face of so much evidence, rather than asking the hard questions, and when the children realize no one is willing to save them, the abusers have the power to terrorize at will.

In hindsight, those closest to these children blame themselves for not seeing the signals, but what about those closest to Sandusky?

His friends didn’t see it, his family didn’t suspect it, his wife wasn’t aware of it? Does anyone of sound mind think that’s at all possible?

There was cheering outside the courthouse a week ago in Bellefonte, Pa., and there was sobbing inside the building from the victims, finally safe from the worst kind of reprisal.

No longer could the 68-year-old rapist torture or threaten them, no longer could Sandusky harm another child, as he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

But talk of victory and redemption, as though this were a football game with good trumping evil, is a sad commentary on us all.

The children, now damaged men who fight the demons that threaten their very sanity, will try to make something of their lives, though no amount of money or Sandusky jail terms will ease that burden. No verdict grants them another chance at childhood, restores their stolen innocence.

The nightmares are real, vivid asleep or awake, night or day, alone or in public.

For the victims, both in this case and all around the world who carry their pain in silence, talk of victory is for others.

And it is quite empty.

brozner@dailyherald.com

ŸListen to Barry Rozner from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on the Score’s “Hit and Run” show at WSCR 670-AM, and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.