I am starting to get nervous

[bigrun]

Editorial today's Richmond paper...



Penn State: Unhappy valley.



On Jan. 2, 1987, Penn State played Miami for college football's 1986 national championship. Many fans and commentators considered the game a matchup of good versus evil.

Penn State seemingly epitomized college athletics at its purest and at its best.That was then Miami apparently cultivated an outlaw reputation. Despite entering the game as underdogs, the Nittany Lions forced seven turnovers and won 14-10 — and claimed the crown. The thrilling contest set ratings records and transformed the Fiesta Bowl from a second-tier game into a so-called major bowl.

Early on Sunday morning Penn State removed a statue of coach Joe Paterno from its place of pride adjacent to the school's football stadium. On Monday morning the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced unprecedented sanctions against the Penn State football program.

The shame is absolute, and the lesson is clear: Do not lionize.

This editorial should not close without noting that the Miami Hurricanes remain under a cloud — although one not so troubling as the one over Penn State. There is no joy.