Well, lung cancer and broken hearts are largely self-inflicted diseases. The man was a genius. Not just in football tactics but in "development" (aka fund-raising) which lets face it is what is the core of power in any institutional setting these days. He was smart enough to know that, even if his players didn't make it to the NFL, if they graduated from Penn State in good standing (and as football players) they'd have a leg-up in business and they'd remember him and his progam in their "giving plans."

He was also, like Catholic bishops, smart enough to know that any taint of sexual scandal of the Sandusky sort closes check-books.

So he kept it under his hat.

And more young men were raped.

But the Pennsylvania State Program soldiered on to gridiron glory.

He died, at 85, "surrounded by his friends and family."

How many of his crony's victims will be able to do the same?

Statistically, not many. Statistically, they'll die alone, sick, victims of addiction, depression, PTSD, and other abuse-related illnesses with broken relationships and the pain of that which isn't their fault, but for which society blames them in any case.

I suspect that what made Paterno "sad" in his waning weeks and months is that his image of being altruistically concerned for young men's wa futures was demonstrated to be utter bullshit.

What he cared about was Joe Paterno's record and Joe Paterno's power and Joe Paterno's statue, and Joe Paterno.

I suggest that the statue be converted to its best use... as a urinal.