From a 60 year career to unceremonious ignominy, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has endured a rapid, precipitous slide.
Not a fall from grace, but certainly a shameful fall, nonetheless.
The world can learn two very important spiritual truths from this scandal: the easy flight of fame, and the legacy of evil, no matter how well-favored a man may be.
Many fans cannot believe that a man's storied legacy would be wiped away over such heinous allegations as covering up child abuse.
Yet in reality, this is the fate of every person, no more how varied their lives, no matter how pristine or wicked a life that one has led.
Solomon wrote of the inherent vanity of things based on what man does:
"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
"What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever." (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)
Even if Joe Paterno had done the right thing, reported the alleged abuse to proper authorities, then soared into a quiet and acclaimed retirement, his legacy would still be human, all too human, thus finite, and subject to displacement by future accomplishments.
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