Say Hello to the Bad Guy: It’s Not Just a Game

The past year has put sports, especially football, on trial. Recruiting scandals in major college programs, a savage beating over the outcome of a hockey game, and the fall out from a heinous pedophilia cover up left the nation wondering how games could establish such a powerful hold on America’s culture. After the firing of now deceased Joe Paterno, the country watched in shock and awe as Penn State faithful rioted in the streets. A man that at one time was the very face of all that was good about football was now a villain to those that did not bleed Blue and White. Was the success of an athletic program truly so crucial that human beings could look past the startling allegations that will now forever mar an otherwise perfect legacy? On Sunday, following Paterno’s abrupt death, both of the conference title games were decided by only 3 points. Never before had both games been decided by so close a margin in the same year. Both contests came down to the final moments, and both...