Advertisement

LaVar Arrington defends Penn State, Joe Paterno

By Alex Butler
Joe Paterno, the former Penn State head football coach of 46 years, died on January 22, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. He was 85. He is shown in 2006 file photo in South Bend, Indiana. UPI/Mark Cowan
Joe Paterno, the former Penn State head football coach of 46 years, died on January 22, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. He was 85. He is shown in 2006 file photo in South Bend, Indiana. UPI/Mark Cowan | License Photo

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., June 7 (UPI) -- One of the best Nittany Lions ever is roaring to defend his defamed coach and alma mater, Penn State University, in the aftermath of Jerry Sandusky.

LaVar Arrington took to Facebook Monday, to tell anyone who would listen about his love for the school and coach Joe Paterno.

Advertisement

The linebacker played for Penn State in 1997 to 1999 before departing as the No. 2 overall pick for Washington in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Paterno died in January 2012 from lung cancer.

"Message to Penn Staters," Arrington wrote in the post.

"The second someone ask me where I went to college I instantly anticipate what the next question will be," Arrington wrote. "We've been made fun of, insulted, frowned upon. I'm sick of it, there's nothing wrong with the pride and dignity we hold in our hearts for our school. I felt guilty to be proud of who I am and what I represent as a PSU'er. Even in knowing I/ we had nothing to do with what happened. It's odd to me that I'm still trying to find peace within all of the chaos that one mans actions led to. We do not and should not have to justify ourselves for an isolated wrong doing within our community, if that were the case I think everyone everywhere all schools, all people would have to do it."

Advertisement

"So it needs to STOP!! There has been so many discussions about clearing Joe's name and that's perfectly fine by me," Arrington wrote. "In the grand picture of all of this it should be clear that we all are accused of being guilty of what happened and it's NOT OK. I don't recall being at Beaver Stadium with 100 thousand plus and us eating hot dogs and popcorn watching these horrible happenings on a Saturday morning or afternoon. So today I'm writing this to burry once and for all the feelings I've been wrestling with for many years now."

Arrington, 37, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection in seven NFL seasons. He compiled 23.5 sacks and 331 tackles in 85 career games.

"Let's all agree that to some degree justice has been served for the few that were responsible," Arrington said. "As for Joe, he was never guilty of anything by the letter of the law PERIOD. WE Are not a cult football community that blindly defends our school. Heck truth be told the football program isn't even the most successful one on campus. We Are great across the board. WE Are students of higher learning, WE Are professionals in the work force that drive world and American economy. WE Are fathers, mothers, daughters and sons. WE Are people that just happen to have a Ton of pride about who WE Are... PENN STATE!! It falls on us to continue to restore and revive what PSU means. No matter how many "stories" accuse or condemn, ultimately We Are the ones that possess the true power to tell our story!"

Advertisement

"So today I challenge us all to come together and burry all of the guilt, embarrassment, shame, anxiety, anger, pain, regret and all the other feelings that this scandal created. It was and continues to be the actions of many that put the "We" in We Are Penn State."

Arrington finished ninth in Heisman voting, won the Bednarik Award, and was an All-American with the Nittany Lions.

"The truth is the stories surrounding clearing Joe's name has been a saga that seems to challenge the validation and vindication of us all," Arrington continued. "The reality is every last one of our accomplishments in life and what We have represented for so long is not only Joe's vindication but ALL of ours. We should not have to go on trial when we say what school we went to. I'm proud to be a Penn Stater "dammit" and I'm proud that You are... We Are Penn state together! I'm proud every time I see that Nittany Lion logo! I'm proud of every time I hear We Are!! Penn State!! The media or everyday interaction with people will never remove the love I have for my school or my alums."

Advertisement

"That's it WE ARE PENN STATE and only those who lived it can understand it and that's all that matters to me! One can only apologize so many times... The apologies and regrets have been issued in true sincerity, TIME TO MOVE ON!! Case 11 LaVar Arrington vs his feelings CASE CLOSED."

"VERDICT: Innocent," Arrington said.

Latest Headlines