Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Paterno

[phillyesq]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Now CNN reporting Paterno has Lung Cancer...Treatable....

Ok- enough of PSU stuff-

This could easily explain the transfer of the house to his wife. By better balancing assets between the spouses, each can take advantage of the maximum allowable estate tax exemption.

[steelblood]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

I think Joe could have and should have done more. But, I don't begrudge Franco his right to stick by a man whom he feels is a good and loving person. I respect Franco for speaking his mind and saying unpopular things. I may not agree with a lot of what he says, but free speech is free speech. We are always so PC in this country these days. Sometimes, from high atop our soap boxes, we forget that none of us are without sin. Maybe we would have handled this situation differently, but it is possible for any of us to bungle a situation where we may be perceived as a bad person. If I should reach that point in my life, I hope I have a friend that still believes in me and defends me.

[feltdizz]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

I think Joe could have and should have done more. But, I don't begrudge Franco his right to stick by a man whom he feels is a good and loving person. I respect Franco for speaking his mind and saying unpopular things. I may not agree with a lot of what he says, but free speech is free speech. We are always so PC in this country these days. Sometimes, from high atop our soap boxes, we forget that none of us are without sin. Maybe we would have handled this situation differently, but it is possible for any of us to bungle a situation where we may be perceived as a bad person. If I should reach that point in my life, I hope I have a friend that still believes in me and defends me.

This has nothing to do with PC or free speech. Franco isn't in jail, he is free to speak and free to defend his former coach. He also has more free time to think about the situation he is in right now. Franco had a perfect opportunity to defend Joe while putting PSU in a positive light. He chose to defend Joe and now he can stand next to him.

He is a good friend to Joe but honestly, good friends also tell you the hard truth. I hope my friends will tell me when I came up short in certain situations instead of defending my ignorance, arrogance etc.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

No plans to remove 'Immaculate Reception' statue from airport

By Tom Fontaine, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, November 18, 2011


It appears Franco Harris -- rather, his statue -- always will have a place at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The life-sized statue of Harris making the "Immaculate Reception" isn`t going anywhere, airport spokesman Jeff Martinelli said. It stands next to a George Washington statue near escalators in the airport`s Airside Terminal.

"It is there to recognize a great moment in Pittsburgh sport history. We have no plans to move it," Martinelli said, adding the airport hasn`t received complaints.

Harris has come under widespread criticism for support of fired Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in the wake of a child sex abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Harris temporarily stepped down as board chairman of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship late Thursday, and he and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane severed ties earlier this week. Harris had served as a spokesman for the casino.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_768157.html#ixzz1e6bc55q1"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1e6bc55q1[/url]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

No plans to remove 'Immaculate Reception' statue from airport

By Tom Fontaine, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, November 18, 2011


It appears Franco Harris -- rather, his statue -- always will have a place at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The life-sized statue of Harris making the "Immaculate Reception" isn`t going anywhere, airport spokesman Jeff Martinelli said. It stands next to a George Washington statue near escalators in the airport`s Airside Terminal.

"It is there to recognize a great moment in Pittsburgh sport history. We have no plans to move it," Martinelli said, adding the airport hasn`t received complaints.

Harris has come under widespread criticism for support of fired Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in the wake of a child sex abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Harris temporarily stepped down as board chairman of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship late Thursday, and he and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane severed ties earlier this week. Harris had served as a spokesman for the casino.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_768157.html#ixzz1e6bc55q1"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1e6bc55q1[/url]

Seriously? This was even a question? Franco's opinion regarding the Paterno firing will be a distant memory by the time we are all carving turkey and eating pumpkin pie.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Franco started getting on my nerves when he started running out of bounds on every carry.

I'm sorry, I know this is a serious topic and I don't mean to diminish its seriousity, but that quote by Flippy just about made me fall out of my chair and spew creamed corn on my monitor.

I nominate it for "Deadpan Humorosity Post of 2011".

Do I hear a 2nd?

(P.S. - no Turkey carving here, Ruth, we are carving Turducken!!).

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Franco Harris asks for donations to Penn State victims' fund

By Jill King Greenwood, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, November 22, 2011


Former Steelers star running back Franco Harris, whose public support for fired Penn State football coach Joe Paterno sparked controversy, today called on fellow alumni to donate to a fund supporting the alleged victims of a child sexual abuse scandal that rocked the university.

The campaign, in connection with the national Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, is asking for alumni to step forward and "focus on the suffering of the victims of this alleged abuse that has traumatized them, shocked our students and outraged our nation," Harris said in an open letter.

"It is time for us all to stand up together and do whatever we can to help. We cannot simply just stand by," he said.

Donations to the campaign can be made online at [url="http://rainn.org/ProudPSUforRAINN"]http://rainn.org/ProudPSUforRAINN[/url] or you can text PSU4RAINN to 20222 to make a $10 donation. According to the website, the campaign has raised more than $464,000.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_768622.html#ixzz1eTWDrYJi"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1eTWDrYJi[/url]

[Chadman]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Without trying to spark a riot amongst you guys, I see similarities between Franco's current situation & the one Mendy found himself in with his 9/11 opinions.

As far as I'm concerned- Franco can defend Paterno as much as he likes. It doesn't change my opinion of Harris one bit. It's kind of short sighted to believe everyone is going to agree with my opinion on every topic (although, you really should). So if Franco wants to defend a man he knows infinately better than I do- good for him.

I don't think it's right, and certainly not fair, to penalise him for his beliefs. (This is the comparison to Mendy coming in). You don't have to agree with him, but him losing his job for supporting Paterno is simply wrong. In my opinion- everyone can voice their opinion- right or wrong- so long as the voiced opinion isn't slanderous or causing pain to others. Should be able to do so without the fear of being sacked.

[flippy]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Without trying to spark a riot amongst you guys, I see similarities between Franco's current situation & the one Mendy found himself in with his 9/11 opinions.

As far as I'm concerned- Franco can defend Paterno as much as he likes. It doesn't change my opinion of Harris one bit. It's kind of short sighted to believe everyone is going to agree with my opinion on every topic (although, you really should). So if Franco wants to defend a man he knows infinately better than I do- good for him.

I don't think it's right, and certainly not fair, to penalise him for his beliefs. (This is the comparison to Mendy coming in). You don't have to agree with him, but him losing his job for supporting Paterno is simply wrong. In my opinion- everyone can voice their opinion- right or wrong- so long as the voiced opinion isn't slanderous or causing pain to others. Should be able to do so without the fear of being sacked.

Hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but they're eerily similar.

The Harris comments probably hit closer to home because it's PSU, the Steelers, Franco, and child molestation which is downright sick.

Mendy's just a dancer that poses as a Steelers RB and attacking the US isn't as heinous as attacking a child. Plus the main damage was in NYC which is a foreign country as far as most Pittsburghers are concerned. So Pittsburgh's a little removed from that whole scenario. Not making light of this really - just pointing out that it's a NIMBY situation for the average Pittsburgher and got more play from the national media than the local media. And as bad as a terrorist attack is, it seems like nothing to me in comparison to an attack on a child. I'm sure it's all equally bad, but the innocent child angle makes the Harris comment seem so much worse.

But to someone from the outside, both situations seem really similar.

[Chadman]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Without trying to spark a riot amongst you guys, I see similarities between Franco's current situation & the one Mendy found himself in with his 9/11 opinions.

As far as I'm concerned- Franco can defend Paterno as much as he likes. It doesn't change my opinion of Harris one bit. It's kind of short sighted to believe everyone is going to agree with my opinion on every topic (although, you really should). So if Franco wants to defend a man he knows infinately better than I do- good for him.

I don't think it's right, and certainly not fair, to penalise him for his beliefs. (This is the comparison to Mendy coming in). You don't have to agree with him, but him losing his job for supporting Paterno is simply wrong. In my opinion- everyone can voice their opinion- right or wrong- so long as the voiced opinion isn't slanderous or causing pain to others. Should be able to do so without the fear of being sacked.

Hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but they're eerily similar.

The Harris comments probably hit closer to home because it's PSU, the Steelers, Franco, and child molestation which is downright sick.

Mendy's just a dancer that poses as a Steelers RB and attacking the US isn't as heinous as attacking a child. Plus the main damage was in NYC which is a foreign country as far as most Pittsburghers are concerned. So Pittsburgh's a little removed from that whole scenario. Not making light of this really - just pointing out that it's a NIMBY situation for the average Pittsburgher and got more play from the national media than the local media. And as bad as a terrorist attack is, it seems like nothing to me in comparison to an attack on a child. I'm sure it's all equally bad, but the innocent child angle makes the Harris comment seem so much worse.

But to someone from the outside, both situations seem really similar.

Regardless of how heinous the crime Flippy- Franco has done nothing more criminal than defend a man he has respect for, and voiced his opinion. He hasn't condoned the attacks on the children at all- he's guilty of sticking up for a man that has gotten himself involved in an ugly situation. I see no problem with that. And yet, his opinion has cost him his job. Doesn't seem right.

[flippy]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

Without trying to spark a riot amongst you guys, I see similarities between Franco's current situation & the one Mendy found himself in with his 9/11 opinions.

As far as I'm concerned- Franco can defend Paterno as much as he likes. It doesn't change my opinion of Harris one bit. It's kind of short sighted to believe everyone is going to agree with my opinion on every topic (although, you really should). So if Franco wants to defend a man he knows infinately better than I do- good for him.

I don't think it's right, and certainly not fair, to penalise him for his beliefs. (This is the comparison to Mendy coming in). You don't have to agree with him, but him losing his job for supporting Paterno is simply wrong. In my opinion- everyone can voice their opinion- right or wrong- so long as the voiced opinion isn't slanderous or causing pain to others. Should be able to do so without the fear of being sacked.

Hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but they're eerily similar.

The Harris comments probably hit closer to home because it's PSU, the Steelers, Franco, and child molestation which is downright sick.

Mendy's just a dancer that poses as a Steelers RB and attacking the US isn't as heinous as attacking a child. Plus the main damage was in NYC which is a foreign country as far as most Pittsburghers are concerned. So Pittsburgh's a little removed from that whole scenario. Not making light of this really - just pointing out that it's a NIMBY situation for the average Pittsburgher and got more play from the national media than the local media. And as bad as a terrorist attack is, it seems like nothing to me in comparison to an attack on a child. I'm sure it's all equally bad, but the innocent child angle makes the Harris comment seem so much worse.

But to someone from the outside, both situations seem really similar.

Regardless of how heinous the crime Flippy- Franco has done nothing more criminal than defend a man he has respect for, and voiced his opinion. He hasn't condoned the attacks on the children at all- he's guilty of sticking up for a man that has gotten himself involved in an ugly situation. I see no problem with that. And yet, his opinion has cost him his job. Doesn't seem right.

If JoePa would have done what was right, he'd still have his job now and so would Franco.

Public reactions are weird to me most of the time. It seems like we collectively react out of our fears of ourselves. We judge others to a level we never hold ourselves accountable to.

99.9% of people that say they would have acted differently than McQueary or JoePa probably wouldn't have if in the same situation. And the reason people get so upset about this situation is the fear that they themselves would have acted the same way and they're disgusted by themselves.

It's like we question how could someone let this go. And then when we really think about it, we've all made some wrong decision in life and then realize, I could have easily f'd up that situation, it's disgusting, and we lose faith in ourselves and humanity.

I've watched enough "What Would You Do Episodes" to know the only ones that would intervene in the Sandusky situation would be a young mother, a hispanic lady, Jesus, or Tim Tebow.

People just don't get involved. And maybe we should take our frustrations with situations like this and collectively decide we should get involved when we don't really want to.

There's opportunities all around us every moment of every day to make better choices and get involved. And we never do.

If we pay attention, the world around us is begging for our involvement. And the real parallel I see here is every day we look away from someone or something just like the PSU folks looked away from these children.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

I've watched enough "What Would You Do Episodes" to know the only ones that would intervene in the Sandusky situation would be a young mother, a hispanic lady, Jesus, or Tim Tebow.

[feltdizz]

Re: Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Pate

I'd like to think I would have done the right thing. My neighbor was crazy and would scream like she was dying when she would argue with her boyfriend. I made a phone call because I didn't want to be that guy who gets interviewed and says "it happens all the time, I didn't know she was being killed"

as far as Franco is concerned, just like Mendenhall its all about timing. The last thing an employer wants is to defend themselves when tensions are at their highest.

What Franco should have done is started the v ictim fund and then said how he feels about Paterno. Running to defend Joe was a reminder of how this situation got this far.