Posted on Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
Ex-Ann Arbor FBI agent on Joe Paterno: Bo Schembechler would have done more
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Joe Paterno.
Associated Press
Ann Arbor resident Greg Stejskal, an FBI agent for 31 years, is convinced the former Michigan football coach would have handled the accusation of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing a boy more thoroughly than longtime coach Joe Paterno.
Stejskal feels the hypothetical question is important. From his column at ticklethewire.com, a law-enforcement news and views site, he writes:
I don’t think it can be overstated the prestige and sheer clout that Paterno has at Penn State, but for whatever reason, he apparently never used any of that to further pursue the Sandusky matter or to inquire about the welfare of the alleged victims.
Stejskal then notes how Schembechler dealt with a 1987 probe of two sports agents who had ties to organized crime and were recruiting college players, including two at Michigan. More from Stejskal:
Michigan would have been just one of many major football programs victimized by (Norby) Walters and (Lloyd) Bloom. But that wasn’t Bo. Damage control doesn’t mean hiding from the truth. It means taking responsibility for your actions and trying to rectify the mistakes.
Comments
Scott
Thu, Dec 22, 2011 : 7:28 a.m.
I have to believe Michigan would never give a coach the power of Joe Paterno- even a Bo Schembechler. If Michigan ever let the football coach call all the shots at Michigan and run roughshod over the school president like Paterno did, then I would tear up my alumni card and stop watching Michigan football. I have faith the board of Regents at Michigan has more integrity than that.
OldBittyBates
Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
Why do you NOT get the point Joe Paterno was approxomately 75 years old at the time when he heard about it (HE WAS OLD AND BARELY UP TO THE TASK OF DEALING WITH SUCH AN INSANE DILEMMA). Not having been in the room when the incident took place, made it difficult for him to be sure how serious the issue actually was. The assistant who claims to have seen the crime was wishy washy in his description. Paterno was not totally convinced that the law had been broken. He couldn't possibly be sure as to what the right action should be, so he turned the matter over to his superiors. If he went to the police, they would have asked him what precisely he saw (which was absolutely nothing). Joe Paterno has been unjustly crucified by many media people (who are nothing but dirty vultures). By all means go ahead and attack Jerry Sandusky, but why torment an innocent man? Because of your hate, Penn State is being ripped off for recruits by teams such as the Ohio Bucket of Bolts. Why didn't the assistant go to the police or file information with the campus police? Quit blaming people who aren't the guilty party!
Paco12054
Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 2:21 a.m.
If Joe was old "AND BARELY UP TO THE TASK OF DEALING WITH SUCH AN INSANE DILEMA" please explain how/why he was still coaching. You cannot have it both ways. I do not hate Penn State nor Joe Paterno but for people to blame the media is truly insane. How about we let this play out in the courts before you, I or anyone jumps to a conclusion.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 6:05 a.m.
While it's a fine sentiment and obviously well intentioned: I don't see why Bo Schembechler should be dragged into this scandal - even for comparative purposes. What Paterno did (or didn't do) has been talked to death. We've already had enough of beating dead horses (remember the name: RichRod?). Using this particular "feed" from a blog does no credit to AnnArbor.com. I believe this was a mistake on the part of "AnnArbor.com staff" and certainly the decision to publish an opinion on someone (Bo) NOT connected in ANY way with the Sandusky scandal is evidence of editorial laxity: PARTICULARLY in view of AnnArbor.com's stringent COMMENTS RULES. I also notice that there are no comments defending Paterno or Jerry Sandusky - odd since there are MANY such comments attending reports about one local doctor's alleged pedophiliac crime. Plenty of condemnations of Paterno though - all coming from here rather than the area where Joe Paterno lives. Premature judgements and opinions don't make anyone look good - yet they're offered with abandon and even pride. This is more than sad: it's disturbing.
Gordon
Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
Well said.
D21
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
It would be prudent to make eunuchs out of Sandusky and people of his ilk.
D21
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
Remember this one about the Paciorek Brothers who was molested by a Catholic priest except for the youngest brother, Mike, an UM alumnus. <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/03/22/paciorek_abuse_ap/" rel='nofollow'>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/03/22/paciorek_abuse_ap/</a> <a href="http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_03_22_Schaefer_TomPaciorek_Gerald_Shirilla_4.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/2002_03_22_Schaefer_TomPaciorek_Gerald_Shirilla_4.htm</a>
88Chill
Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
And Jim, not Mike.
D21
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
were not was
knotch
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 7:46 p.m.
Before we re'hash this. We all want to believe this. Heck I do. But until your in that position we can never say. Their have been some disturbing devolopments in the nasty NASTY case. I pray ( I know, praying is nearly against the law) this case doesn't take a REAL bad turn, it's bad enough as is...
Terry Star21
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 5:59 p.m.
I heartily agree with Agent Greg Stejskal and his assertions about Bo. I knew Bo and he would have turned his own family in, only believing in what is right first. Bo would not have thought twice about what would hurt the University, his team or even himself - he would have done the right thing, quickly. Joe Paterno is no Bo, in fact he is a pathetic excuse for a person. He admitted his guilt in knowledge of a crime, waiting to report and then saying "I should have done more". Paterno was all about protecting his team and winning - at all costs. Anyone who spent any amount of time with Bo knows that Bo's 'The Team, The Team, The Team' was a far cry from (night and day) Paterno's The Team, The Team, The Team !