Today’s news from the world of sports transcends sports. An exhaustive investigation into the Penn State University football program in the wake of child molestation by an assistant coach shed light on the way Joe Paterno ran not only the football program, but the university.
As Frank Deford put it on NPR July 4, football coaches live a life of keeping players eligible to play. That extends to coaches, as well. When reports surfaced that top assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was molesting young boys, Paterno chose to keep it quiet rather than tarnish a carefully honed image of a spotless football program. Who cares about the boys?
The Bible is full of examples of heroes with flaws. Our history is full of examples of heroes with flaws. Yet, especially in this age of finely tuned media manipulation, heroes are still cultivated and revered. Then we discover that they are merely human.
Even Jesus was seen as a hero with flaws when he failed to lead the anticipated revolution against the Romans. It took a couple of months for even his closest friends to understand the type of revolution he was talking about. But, there are no more like him.
Paul told us at the beginning of Romans that all humans are sinners. If you ever think otherwise, go back to Rule 1.
It is very hard for people to live an ethical life. You have to try very hard. Billy Graham is perhaps the best example I can think of. He understood the seduction of crowds, publicity and adoration. He worked very hard to maintain his integrity.
Football coaches, indeed all coaches and even corporate and religious leaders, can become all-powerful. They can rule by force of personality. They can come to believe their press clippings. Then comes the inevitable fall.
It’s the same with all of us. Where is your integrity hiding today?
Faith Venture 
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