Following up on a post from yesterday, former Penn State and Steelers running back Franco Harris has, as expected, stepped down from his position as chairman of the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program. Harris’ comments supporting fired coach Joe Paterno in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal have now cost him his job as a spokesman for Meadows Race Track and Casino and as a board member of a local charity.
Harris criticized Penn State’s Board of Trustees for firing Paterno, saying they “showed no courage” for not backing a man “who really needed it at the time.”
Harris defended his statement, saying they shouldn’t have been “interpreted as my apparent disregard and absence of concern for the victims of alleged sexual abuse.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. My heart aches for those young people and their families who were violated in the deplorable events at Penn State,” Harris said. “Those who know me will be aware that during my many years of public service to the Pittsburgh regional community I have held steadfastly to the conviction that the protection and well-being of our children are paramount.”
No one with a reasonable head on their shoulders is going to infer Harris was somehow condoning child abuse, but it’s still important to note that Harris ran the risk of hurting his business and charitable ties by having an opinion on the matter other than “this is terrible.”
“To so adamantly and vocally defend one man while maintaining silence for those powerless to defend themselves, shows me that you are the wrong man to represent the Pittsburgh Promise and the ideals it embodies,” Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a letter to Harris.
Saleem Ghubril, executive director of the Pittsburgh Promise, said Harris will remain on the board as a full voting member.
“We did affirm without hesitation Franco’s integrity, Franco’s character and his clear and evident lifetime of service to children,” Ghubril said. “His integrity in all aspects of his service to The Promise is unquestionable.”
(Tip of the cap: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)