Even with his greatness as a football coach, and all the good his life otherwise entailed, it's impossible to move past the part about Joe Paterno that became one of the epicenters of the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
It involved children abused. Paterno was one of the checkpoints - perhaps the most important along the way - that could have prevented it. He didn't do nearly enough.
However, those who are grieving with heavy hearts at the passing of Paterno today should not be scorned. Nor should those who deeply loved or who believed strongly - still - that he is a great man be shunned or dismissed.
Of all the tragedies I can recall that topped the news cycle for an extended period, this is perhaps the most complex. And heart-wrenching from every different angle.
That includes the part about Joe Paterno's fall and rapid decline into death.