Franco Harris says Penn State has no leadership.
(MedleyStory) Tue, February 21, 2012, 6:00 PM

As he battled lung cancer, dozens of former Penn State football players stood by Joe Paterno.  Since his death many have shared fond memories of the coach, but only one has been outspoken from the beginning. Franco Harris did not agree with Penn State’s decision to fire Paterno in November, and he told 6 News that he is still angry. “How could they make this decision for this man that really gave so much to Penn State”, said Harris. No one is more Penn State proud than Franco Harris, class of 1972, but for the past three months he’s been anything but proud of the people who run his alma mater. “It’s a great institution with great people, but as I said we have no leadership.  None at this time and this is a crucial time.” Since the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal broke Harris has been frustrated on a number of levels. Harris criticized the board of trustees: “They’re a bunch of wimps and I was really disappointed them.” He is disgusted by the national media: “You know everybody jumping in and starting to question the moral character and integrity of Joe Paterno, I said, what?!” And he is also unhappy with the governor: “And also when there’s Governor Tom Corbett who investigated the case and had to have known the level of Joe’s involvement.  For him not to support and back Joe, I found that quite surprising.” Harris won’t forget the night of November 9th, when the board of trustees fired his beloved coach over the phone. Harris told 6 News he could have accepted what he called the trustees initial rush to judgment, but as the scandal deepened school officials seemed to distance themselves from Paterno to the point Harris could no longer stay silent. “We can’t stand back and let people tear this down.  We can’t let people tear down Penn State.  We can’t let them tear down the football program and we definitely can’t let them teardown Joe Paterno.” So began Franco Harris’ crusade in defense of Paterno and Penn State. He publicly criticized the trustees and followed University President Rod Erickson to three town hall meetings held with alumni to offers dissenting opinions. “It was just a reaction and sure I got a lot of backlash from that but I just kept going forward.” The backlash included criticism from Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl who called on Harris to step down as chairman of a Pittsburgh Foundation. Harris stepped down, but was soon reinstated. He says his ultimate goal was to achieve the same fate for Paterno. "He never should have been fired, so let’s try to reinstate him.  As we know that didn’t happen and time ran out.” Questions, or course, persist about what Joe Paterno knew of Jerry Sandusky’s alleged activities. In Harris’ mind Joe is free and clear of any doubt. He’s convinced based on his own investigation that assistant coach Mike McQueary simply did not provide Joe with enough information to warrant him doing more. “McQueary told Joe, Joe told Tim Curley.   He was a conduit, that’s all.  He just passed information.  He didn’t see anything, was not a part of anything, Joe knew nothing.” The fact that the scandal has tainted Paterno’s legendary career bothers Harris. “They didn’t even give him the dignity of letting him retire.” Still, Harris is confident Joe’s true legacy will endure.  “For 61 years, to do it the way he did it and be successful on the football field and very, very successful in his graduation rate.” For now, the old running back is still ready to go to battle for his coach. “For every Penn Stater, the fight continues.  We don’t care what the rest of the country does or what they don’t do.  We’re going to set the course right for Penn State.”

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