Mayor rips Harris for JoePa comment

[zulater]

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoot...omments-111711

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has called for NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris to step down as chair of a local scholarship foundation after the Steelers legend and former Penn State player spoke out in support of Joe Paterno, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Thursday.

In a letter sent to Harris and board members of The Pittsburgh Promise, an irate Ravenstahl said Harris displayed "callous disregard and indifference for the victims of child sex abuse at Penn State" after he said publicly that the university's recently dismissed coach Paterno was unfairly punished for doing what he was legally obligated to do.

Harris, who visited his former coach in State College last weekend, said Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation when he informed school officials after being made aware of an alleged child abuse incident involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky in 2002.

Sandusky has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period -- offenses he denies.

In direct words to Harris, Ravenstahl wrote, "When I personally asked you to join the board of the Pittsburgh Promise, I had every confidence that you would exercise sound judgment in your public life. Sadly, these statements show no regard whatsoever for the well-being of the young victims of sexual abuse and have led me to question your position of trust.

"As the person who created the Pittsburgh Promise for our city's youth and families, and the one who stood by it at a time when few others did, I must continue to act in the best interest of the young Promise scholarship recipients past, present and future.

"It is my ethical and moral responsibility to recognize that you are no longer a suitable representative for any organization, let alone ours, and demand that you resign immediately from the Board of the Pittsburgh Promise."

Harris, who was a key piece to the Steelers' run of four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, issued a statement Thursday in light of the backlash generated from his comments.

"I am greatly saddened by the way that personal opinions I have expressed publicly over the dismissal of my dear friend and mentor, Coach Joe Paterno, have been interpreted as my apparent disregard and absence of concern for the victims of alleged sexual abuse at Penn State University.

"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. 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."


What a tool! Someone should remind Mr. Mayor that Franco neither committed a crime nor aided in it's cover-up. Yes he's displayed some misplaced loyalty, but that doesn't make him a bad person or indifferent to the victims of the alleged acts of depravity that Sanduscky has been accused of.

Asshole needs to be recalled. I hope any money the Rooney's had earmarked for that prick's reelection gets redirected to his opponent. Bastard!

[7willBheaven]

The Mayor can go screw himself...what an idiot.

[steelreserve]

Pretty stupid the way people try to twist comments around and assume that everyone will be offended by default. Like ... really? You don't think anyone with more than three brain cells would understand that Franco Harris DOESN'T support child molesters, despite the fact that he took great pains to make that clear? Fricking public figures - politicians and talking heads, just assuming everyone is an idiot, and that offending an idiot is for some reason the worst thing in the world. Want to know what the problem is in this country, there it is.

[NCSteeler]

I don't know if saying " Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation when he informed school officials after being made aware of an alleged child abuse incident"
Is showing misplaced loyalty or just stupidity. Most people given a minute to consider it will agree, reporting rape of a child to your boss, is not fulfilling one's legal obligation. Now of course the mayor is using this topic to grandstand and get some tv time

[zulater]

I don't know if saying " Paterno fulfilled his legal obligation when he informed school officials after being made aware of an alleged child abuse incident"
Is showing misplaced loyalty or just stupidity. Most people given a minute to consider it will agree, reporting rape of a child to your boss, is not fulfilling one's legal obligation. Now of course the mayor is using this topic to grandstand and get some tv time

Again, I strongly disagree with Franco's comments and stance concerning Paterno's handling of the PSU tragedy. But to go as far as saying

It is my ethical and moral responsibility to recognize that you are no longer a suitable representative for any organization, let alone ours, and demand that you resign immediately from the Board of the Pittsburgh Promise

is just so far over the top it's ridiculous. Joe Pa made mistakes, terrible mistakes, but supporting him now, particularly when it's someone with Franco's history and perspective of the man isn't the same as supporting Osama Bin Laden, or the Unabomber. I work with die hard PSU fans who haven't come to grips with what's happened yet, I don't consider them disgraceful or unworthy because they can't accept the facts yet.

[X-Terminator]

Franco steps down:

Former Steelers and Penn State great Franco Harris temporarily stepped aside Thursday night as board chairman of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship in the wake of criticism from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for his public support of fired Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.

David Malone, president and CEO of Gateway Financial Services, will fill the post until the board can reconvene in a few days to make a final determination on Harris, said Saleem Ghubril, executive director of the Promise.

"The board is unanimous in affirming its commitment to children and youth and the mission of The Pittsburgh Promise," Ghubril said.

Harris remains a full, voting board member and could regain his status as chairman, Ghubril said after a four-hour board meeting last night at the Hill House Economic Development Corp. building in the Hill District. He said Harris voluntarily agreed to step down on a temporary basis.

The Promise provides scholarships for Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates meeting certain requirements.

Ravenstahl, in a letter Wednesday night, asked Harris to resign as board chairman of the Promise, a day after the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane fired Harris as a spokesman.

Ravenstahl's letter said Harris showed "callous disregard and indifference for the victims of child sex abuse at Penn State" by publicly supporting Paterno.

Harris criticized Penn State trustees when they fired Paterno, for whom Harris played from 1969-71, and university President Graham Spanier because of the scandal involving former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who is charged with molesting eight boys from 1994 to 2009. Authorities have not criminally charged Paterno or Spanier.

Harris since has come under widespread scrutiny.

Ghubril said the board is grateful that Ravenstahl pointed out that "Franco's personal support" of Paterno "could have a potentially detrimental impact on The Pittsburgh Promise. ... At the same time, we affirm Franco's goodness and character.

"He is a terrific member of the board."

Harris said he would respect the board's decision.

He said he was surprised by Ravenstahl's letter. "But he's entitled to his opinion, and so am I," Harris said.

"There was a lot of good discussion," he said after the meeting. "There was a lot of good passion. This is a night to focus on The Pittsburgh Promise."
Said Ravenstahl: "I had a chance to directly face Franco. He had a chance to directly face me. ... Our difference of opinion is respectable."

Harris vowed before the meeting to continue supporting Paterno.

"I support Joe Paterno all the way, and anyone who says that he supports child sex abuse or that I support child sex abuse, that's just ridiculous," Harris said.

"I consider myself privileged to be a close friend of Joe Paterno, who has been a transformative and guiding influence in my life. I have endeavored to place the victims and their families at the forefront of my concerns while questioning the seeming rush to judgment in the treatment of Joe, who I know is deeply pained and distraught by events now under investigation at Penn State.

"It is a distressing irony that I should now find myself on the receiving end of a rush to judgment -- as I stand up for a longtime friend and mentor out of loyalty."

Read more: Harris hits wall of criticism head-on - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Personally, I think Franco is being criticized unfairly, because in no way is he supporting child sex abuse by supporting Paterno. That's a ridiculous leap of faith. However, this should be expected given the despicable allegations involved. A lot of people in the periphery are unfortunately going to get caught in the crossfire, and Franco is the latest victim.

[7willBheaven]

Not that its the end of the world for Franco/etc...but its all just wrong. I hope Mayor Luke doesnt get elected next time he's up for office and that these people feel ashamed for what they're doing to a great guy in Franco.

[ALLD]

What a crock of shit and I don't even live in the Burg'.

[tube517]

I respect his loyalty. It takes guts to stand up and support a friend in the face of that kind of scrutiny.

[BigNastyDefense]

First, it would be smart for anyone that's in a position like Franco Harris' to just keep their mouths shut on JoePa. It's a touchy subject that's going to bring nothing but backlash.

Second, the mayor of Pittsburgh went overboard and IMHO, owes Franco an apology.

Third, this entire Penn State situation is one huge mess. Anyone who is not directly involved in the decisions should really just shut the fuck up and not give their opinion. Because you're either going to be labeled a JoePa hater by some or a supporter of sexual abuse on children by others, neither of which is necessarily the truth.

[Devilsdancefloor]

i thin the mayor needs to apologize. I commend franco for standing up for joepa. He has to know he is going to catch alot of shit and he still did it my hat goes off to him for that