Joe Paterno deserves better- both from Penn State, and from the Big Ten

I just heard that the Big Ten is dropping Joe Paterno's name from its championship trophy. Only the immortal Amos Alonzo Stagg's name will be left.

I'm frankly scandalized. Look. Maybe Joe Pa should have called the cops when he heard about Sandusky's shower room antics. But he did what he was supposed to do according to both law and college policy. He told the athletic director. The AD is the guy who should have taken the fall.

Maybe Joe Pa should ideally have done more. But he did his job. He did what he was supposed to do.

To fire him is bad enough. To remove his name from the trophy is inexcusable.

Penn State should be ashamed- ashamed that the Sandusky affair wasn't handled more expeditiously, yes. But also ashamed that it scapegoated one of the greatest coaches in NCAA history for its failure.

And the Big Ten should be ashamed, too.

Commissioner James Delaney explained the decision to remove Joe Pa's name from the trophy by saying that it was supposed to be "celebratory, not controversial." Well, guess what? Your ill-advised decision, Commissioner, has just made it controversial- not only this year, but for all the years to come.

Joe Paterno deserved better, both from the school to which he dedicated his life and from his conference.