As if the entire Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal wasn't horrific enough, Penn State University is now being subjected to the ultimate punishment from the NCAA, who just gave Penn State a $60 million fine and a four-year postseason ban. The football program has also been stripped of all wins from 1998-2011, which is definitely a huge blow to all of the athletes who proudly played for the team during those years.
And aside from making all of those players feel like every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears was all for nothing, current and future football players at Penn State are also being penalized for crimes that they had absolutely nothing to do with.
The NCAA is pulling 10 initial football scholarships and will also pull 20 more scholarships every year for four years. And for the life of me, I just can't understand how taking away these scholarships from kids who may not have any hope of receiving a college education otherwise is going to do anything to change or excuse what happened to those poor boys who were abused by Jerry Sandusky.
More from The Stir: Penn State Students Trying to Protect 'Joe Paterno' Are Excusing His Negligence (VIDEO)
How on earth is punishing all those players going to make up for Sandusky's actions or the negligence demonstrated by Joe Paterno and other high-ranking university officials?
I mean, I can totally understand taking those wins away from Paterno to ensure that he will never be remembered as the "winningest coach in college football history," but why is it necessary to ruin the football records of all those players? Odds are good that they are already devastated and ashamed over what happened, so why make things worse by insinuating that they did something wrong simply by playing for the team?
It just seems crazy that the NCAA couldn't come up with some sort of solution that punished those who turned a blind eye to those unspeakable acts without crushing the hopes and dreams of more innocent kids.
Take a look at this video clip to hear more about the NCAA punishment.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
What do you think would be a better punishment for Penn State -- or do you agree with what the NCAA is doing?
Image via Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 53
I'm teeter tottering on this issue as well. On one hand if they didn't "punish" the school, we'd be up in arms about that too. I feel terrible for the students who are there now. They had nothing to do with this. BUT on the other hand......something had to be done to show others that this will NOT be allowed. That OUR children will NOT be hurt at the hands of so called "teachers."
I just don't know what the answer is.
I agree with removing the scholarships. It goes beyond the children who would benefit from them, yes it not necessarily fair to them, but they should blame the school. Over the years this was happening the school was profiting from scholarships year after year all while knowing what was going on. I agree that the school should be financially penalized, and removing scholarships I do not disagree with to make that possible. As for removing his wins? I think that is horrible. Paterno did not play in those games, he was a COACH, he did not win those games, the boys did. My boyfriend and I had a large argument over this last night. I agree with removing the statue, the people, some of the scholarships and the ability to play in bowl games. It's about punishing the SCHOOL not the players or the kids. Yes that cuts out chances but it was done because of the school. That is who they should be mad at. Removing ACTUAL GAME WINS? HELL NO. That is uncalled for.
Jerry Sandusky was investigated in 1998, and no charges were filed. This is not the schools fault.
http://deadspin.com/5925453/in-1998-jerry-sandusky-told-state-officials-and-university-police-that-he-had-done-this-with-other-children-in-the-past
I wonder if they couldn't have gone back through those years and removed Paterno's and Sandusky's names from the records, without removing the wins from the students. Simply erase their names from the books - like they never existed. Where it says "coach" put "dirtbag's name eliminated" or something like that.
I agree that the school needs a punishment - especially if those in the upper eschelons of the University (not just those in the Athletic Dept) knew. Fines would simply be passed on to future students to pay off, or would be paid by fundraising done by alumni or something. So I dont' know what the answer is.
But I completely agree that taking wins away from students, and eliminating scholarships and opportunities for students going forward - that is not only misplaced, but irresponsible.
There IS no punishment that will effect the school, and make other schools stand up and take notice, other than killing their football program. It is very sad and it will take more than a decade for this school to have a winning team again. They will lose the chance to offer football scholarships so that they cannot possibly HAVE a winning team. Which will cause their attendance to fall off and cost the school more money. They are not allowed to go to any post season games, in other words no matter how well they do, they can't win.
I don't know if I agree with all of the punishment, it hurts so many people that did nothing wrong and knew nothing of Sandusky's offenses. However, I can completely see this as a way to make every school understand their responsibilities don't end at football.