Blown Out of Proportion or Not?

I must admit, I'm having a hard time with how to fairly cover the off-the-field incidents related to the Penn State football team. While part of me agrees with Coach Paterno's comment: "(Media) creates the public perception...", it's hard for anyone not to notice the volume of incidents in the last six months.

1) April fight--six players charged (others at the scene)
2) August--two players cited for underage drinking
3) Last weekend--two more players cited for underage drinking
4) Also last weekend--"some" players reportedly involved in HUB melee

That's more than ten players (about 10 percent of the roster) involved in unlawful activity. That's more than just a "media" creation.

Boiled down, it's two fights and four college kids under 21 drinking alcohol--commonplace at colleges and universities. I'm not condoning it, but just pointing out what we're really dealing with here.

However, Penn State athletics have always held themselves to a higher standard. That's what truly sets them apart from other schools. Penn State is also located in the middle of a highly conservative area. Those two things combined make the number of arrests/citations from one program newsworthy.

I think there is some credence to a more pervasive media (some of it irresponsible) leading to more information on such incidents. As little as ten years ago, most (if not all) of these things may not have reached the newspapers, television, and radio. However, the sheer number of off-the-field transgressions is alarming because it signals larger issues. At best, it indicates very poor judgment from the players--especially those who have seen other teammates involved in previous incidents, yet still run afoul. At worst, it demonstrates a lack of control by or lack of respect for those in charge of the program.

So, while I think some outlets are blowing this out of proportion, the problems are not simply a media creation.