Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has been dead since January, but his legacy will remain forever. The only question now is for which part of his legacy will he be remembered.

Last week, we learned that Paterno had more involvement in covering up the Jerry Sandusky case after former FBI Director Louis Freeh released his report on Penn State’s handling of the allegations that Sandusky was molesting little boys.

It’s a scathing report that paints the once revered coach in poor light.

Prior to the world knowing of Sandusky’s heinous acts and Paterno’s involvement in the cover-up, the “Ol’ Ball Coach” was considered the grandfather of college sports. Fans and the sports world believed his way of coaching and molding young men was the standard to which all athletic programs should be held. He was almost saint-like.

Now, he is more demon-like. Freeh uncovered that Penn State officials, after learning that Sandusky had been seen molesting a boy in a Penn State football shower, were going to report the incident to the department of child welfare in Pennsylvania in 2001. That discussion took place on Feb. 25.

On Feb. 26, Freeh learned through confiscated Penn State emails that Paterno had spoken with Penn State officials, persuading them to drop the issue. The next day, one of the officials wrote in emails to Paterno and those involved with looking into the allegations that it was “not the humane” way to handle the situation and that the department of child welfare should not be contacted. Instead, the email stated, the officials should speak with Sandusky directly. The incident was never reported beyond the walls of Penn State, not even to the police department.

In January 2011, Paterno told a grand jury that was the only time he had heard of Sandusky molesting a young boy. That was not true. Freeh uncovered Penn State emails involving Paterno that stated he knew of a possible sexual incident between Sandusky and a little boy in 1998. In 1999, Sandusky, who was previously in line to take over the head coaching job from Paterno, resigned. Paterno and Penn State officials gave him an office in the football building, and he was allowed to be around the Penn State football program despite official knowledge that he was a sexual predator.

Freeh stated in his report that he found documents in Paterno’s office with Sandusky’s retirement requests. One of the requests to Paterno was that he be allowed to have access to Penn State’s football weight room and its athletic facilities.

Paterno jotted down some notes in the margins of the request, one asking if it was for Sandusky’s personal use or for the children from Sandusky’s charity, Second Mile. If the latter, then no, because it would be a liability. These documents show that Paterno knew there was a problem, and he continued to sweep it under the rug.

This once great man is proven now to be a self-centered person who didn’t care about the welfare of children being hurt by a person over whom he had authority. It was more important to Paterno that he protect his legacy instead of the children whom Sandusky was molesting.

Paterno’s involvement in the cover-up also shows that the men in charge of large college sports programs are becoming too powerful. Never should a football coach have so much power that he can stop a university’s head officials ”“ who are his bosses ”“ from reporting acts of sexual abuse.

Earlier this year a jury convicted Sandusky on 45 counts relating to sexual abuse, keeping him in prison for the rest of his life. Paterno died before he could face the demons that he helped create. On his deathbed, however, Paterno did say he should’ve done more to stop Sandusky. Yes, he should have. While Sandusky will die in prison, Paterno’s legacy will continue to live in the court of public opinion, but which legacy?

Penn State officials are considering removing the statue of Paterno from in front of the school. This is creating controversy. Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden said the statue should be removed, but some alumni and former players are saying the statue should remain and that Paterno should be remembered for all the good he did.

Does the good outweigh the bad in this situation? That will be the question each one of us will have to ponder when remembering the legacy of Joe Paterno.

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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Editor Al Edwards representing the majority opinion of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.