Stoops' words in light of Penn State tragedy worth reading
Published: 7/23/2012 12:45 PM
Last Modified: 7/23/2012 12:45 PM
DALLAS -- Bob Stoops didn't mention Joe Paterno by name at Big 12 Media Days this morning. He didn't even mention Penn State.
But read this quote, apply it to Paterno's abuse of power and Penn State's cowardice in the face of that abuse, and you get a clear point:
"The bottom line, I have always been aware who I answer to," Stoops said. "That is my athletic director and president, Joe Castiglione and David Boren. And, ultimately, our board of regents. I'm in contact with our president's office and our athletic director's office. There's a lot of communication there.
"I have always been very aware that I work for the university.I learned that, to be quite honest, because Coach Spurrier was that way. Here was a guy that really brought success to Florida before they really had some, here's a Heisman Trophy winner, and as popular and strong a figure as he was, he made us as assistants that he answered to his athletic director, Jeremy Foley, and the president. The university is always going to be bigger than any of us."
Stoops was asked if Penn State could ever be same, given today's NCAA sanctions.
"I don't know. I'm just caught up in how tragic the whole thing is, to be quite honest with you," he replied. "I haven't really thought about what it's gonna do to them."
What Stoops does know: "The whole situation is just incredibly tragic. That's the only word I can use to describe the whole thing. In every way possible, children should always be protected by adults."
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
