As a former NFL player, coach and child advocate, I am saddened (but not shocked) by the lack of moral clarity, responsibility and courage in the adults who failed to act on behalf of the children involved in the alleged molestations at Penn State and my alma mater, Syracuse University. As the Penn State investigations continue, many questions arise regarding the responsibility of the men who either witnessed abuse by a predatory adult or were told about it. To date this list includes a college president, senior vice-president, athletic director, legendary coach, assistant coach, janitor, high school assistant principle, wrestling coach, campus police officers and board members of a non-profit created to help disadvantaged boys. Each apparently ignored, dismissed or was confused about their moral responsibility to protect children. I suspect they are like some Americans who have trouble acknowledging such sordid realities and choose instead to live in denial and disbelief. This should be a wakeup call to every adult to reconsider their individual and collective responsibility to protect children and childhood.
BUT WILL WE WAKE UP?
