Respect the Past, Don't Punish the Present

It will go down in history as one of the most insanely publicized, criticized, and scrutinized off seasons any athletic program has ever been through.

After more than a year of social media torture and Penn State can finally take a deep breath and look back at what should be considered one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history.

In less than a year after losing their coach, athletic director, vice president, multiple recruits, and former players, the Penn State football program was able to finish the 2012 season with an impressive 8-4 record. That's not even considering their 6-2 record in the Big Ten, which would be considered tied for second best in the conference with Michigan and behind Nebraska. (Ohio State went 8-0 but is also considered ineligible for post season play.)

That's the underlying issue with their impressive record. Penn State won't be rewarded for their accomplishments. In any way except for the "what if" factor. That's because the NCAA has not only fined the school $60 million dollars but also banned the football program for four postseasons, inevitably making them bowl ineligible.

Teams that aren't even half as good as Penn State are eligible to participate in bowl games. However, because of a assistant coach and his posy of protectors, the students and program now have to suffer. I'm in no way saying that Sandusky and company didn't get what they deserve, but I am upset that it affects the players.

These athletes made a life changing commitment to attend Penn State. Now their being punished for something they not only had any control over but for something that didn't even happen while they attended the school. This is where the NCAA needs to draw the line and throw out the bowl suspensions. The current players shouldn't be punished for a successful season.

There's an easy solution that the NCAA needs to consider. You let the program play in what ever bowl game they earn but you don't include the royalties that come with it. No extra incentives, no scholarship money, no funds for the program. They played their way to a bowl so make them pay their way to the bowl. It's a simple solution that takes care of both sides of the issue. You're not rewarding the program but you're allowing the players who didn't do anything wrong except get an education and play football to play in a bowl game they deserve to be in.

Other than the recent spot light that Notre Dame has seen because of their undefeated record, Penn State has practically had the spotlight to themselves since the original Jerry Sandusky allegations. Granted they only faced two ranked teams,(#16 Nebraska and #24 Northwestern) but Penn State still beat Wisconsin who is playing against Nebraska in the Big Ten title game.

It's about respecting the past and not punishing the present, or future for that matter. The NCAA messed up with this one, because it's the current players that are suffering not the excuses for a staff that messed up years before them.