Back in September it was announced that U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (pictured) and Bob Casey and U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson had nominated Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor a citizen can receive.
In their nomination, along with noting his on-field accomplishments, the congressmen wrote that “Coach Paterno’s contributions to society off the field are even more noteworthy.” Two months later, an off-field incident involving the alleged sexual abuse at the hands of one of the coach’s former assistants nearly a decade ago has cost JoePa his job, and prompted the lawmakers to reconsider their nomination.
In a statement attributed to the two senators from Pennsylvania, Toomey and Casey announced that, in light of the recent events that have unfolded in State College, they are pulling their support for Paterno’s nomination.
“We hope the proper authorities will move forward with their investigation without delay,” the statement reads. “Penn State is an important institution within our commonwealth. We should turn our attention to the victims of these atrocious crimes and ensure they get the help they need. Our hearts and prayers go out to them and their families.”
The Medal of Freedom is presented annually “to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Past winners have included Alabama’s Bear Bryant and UCLA’s John Wooden.