I agree with Neil Rudel on the Rob Bolden situation. I think a release would also enable Bolden Sr. to shop his son around for the right price like Cam Newton's father. The NCAA failed once again on that issue as well. Now any father can shop their son's services and say their son knew nothing about it. Right?
And one other thing: The NCAA messed up the Ohio State situation with how they handled those suspensions as well in my mind.
But worse yet, after having read Jim Tressel's book a few years ago, I'm both surprised and disappointed that Tressel didn't do the right thing and sit the players down for the bowl game. He certainly dropped down on my list of people who demonstrate honesty and integrity.
Of course, my feelings mean nothing to him, but he has to live with himself, and what happens if all five players do stay for next year?
What if those who start the first five games go 5-0 and look really good doing it? Does Tressel pull them and start the suspended players?
And if any of the five don't stay and go to the NFL, then the truth about them just comes out again, and Tressel looks like a fool.
Will Walk
Spring, Texas
Credit Paterno for his handling
At first when Rob Bolden wanted out of his scholarship and the reasons given by Rob, I thought Joe should go ahead and release him especially after his father, Bolden Sr., took over and became Rob's mouthpiece.
But now, after rethinking the issue, I think Coach Paterno was right in not releasing Rob from his scholarship. Joe is a very wise man and knows the kids of today fairly well. Joe sensed Rob is a very impressionable young man who wants to be the very best he can be in football.
Essentially, Rob's ego was shattered when Matt McGloin replaced Rob as starting QB and continued to do so even after Bolden was ready to return to the starting lineup.
There are many unanswered questions and a number of scenarios that will play out over the course of the next few months and beyond.
Having said all of the above, I want to take issue with Rob's father - and all that he has been saying will come back and haunt him.
Mr. Bolden is typical of a lot of parents in today's society. We live in an adult-centric society. Today's young people are being subjected to adult-driven agendas.
There are parents who reward their kids for their adult-pleasing achievements. People like Robert Bolden, Sr. are using their children to live out their Disney-like fantasies. Many parents that fit this given category fail to consider the price of isolation, the stress and fear on the part of their sons and daughters of not meeting the expectations of their parents.
In Bolden's case, he sees a bright future for his son being drafted into the NFL someday. He is already contemplating big-dollar signs that will translate into millions of dollars when his kid signs his NFL contract.
Young people today see that also and are going on steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs to give them an edge over others for the big bucks in the world of sports.
These young people who leave college early for a professional career don't give any thought as to what happens after. If the kid is thinking clearly, he or she realizes there is a life after football or whatever and will have that college education and degree to fall back on.
Say what you will about Joe Paterno, and, yes, I have been very critical of his coaching these past few years.
But Coach Joe Paterno is the renaissance-education coach of all time and is looking out for the people who play for him at Penn State.
Les Hart
Duncansville
Case example of today's athlete
I read Neil Rudel's commentary on Bolden/JoePa. I don't necessarily agree with what I'm about to say, but I think it reflects the current state of college sports attitudes.
If college coaches are bought out of contracts and are able to leave without penalty, why can't the athletes that help make the money move freely also?
Now for the part that I believe: JoePa was wrong to deny the release. Why keep an unhappy athlete, except to teach his father a lesson about how to correctly handle an unfortunate situation?
Spite undoes all that Joe stands for. He is now hurting a young man.
All PSU fans know too well how Joe sticks with his No. 1 QB and how difficult it is to get out of his doghouse.
This is one more strike against future recruiting success.
Bruce Newton
Oaks, Pa.
PSU pendulum swung wide
In my opinion, the Penn State season was an exciting and dismal year.
The first five games proved nothing except we could get hurt physically and were not going to be a great team.
Rob Bolden showed he could throw the ball beautifully, but he couldn't run or make quick decisions. It's a shame he had to be picked to start as a freshman. I watched the sidelines when he was off the field, and there was no emotion. He just stood there, never being part of the event. This team needed a leader, and he looked like he didn't fit.
Matt McGloin came in, and he was the spark. He gave those guys and we fans hope. I don't know if he's the future or not; that's between him, his competitor and coaches.
As for the rest of the team, they will be fine. They took a lot of beatings but hopefully will be healthy next year. They didn't look that bad and got experience at other positions.
Denny Georgiana
Altoona
Sports writers part of problem
Contrary to Neil Rudel's column on Rob Bolden's requested transfer, no one looks bad. If Rob Bolden wants to transfer, that is his decision.
The sports writers have to make a living by continually making these startling announcements like the world is coming to an end. The problem with sportscasters today is that we make these athletes like prima donnas.
In turn they feel that they should be treated like royalty. When they have issues or get into problems, we then make it into the biggest news in the world. Get over it.
These athletes are just people who have the same foibles as the common folks.
Don Golden
Moscow, Pa.
