Despite the minefield of ugly findings made public Thursday after the Freeh investigation into the Penn State scandal, Joe Paterno merchandise continues to sit prominently in many State College, Pa., shops. And, if sales meant anything, they’d suggest that Paterno is still a popular and beloved figure in the Penn State community.
Here’s The Daily Collegian:
[T]oday in downtown State College, “JoePa” shirts hung on sale racks lining the sidewalks, cardboard cutouts stood in storefront windows and photographs of the former head coach running onto the field lined the walls of shops.
Despite controversy, many stores continue selling their stock of Joe Paterno merchandise. […] Although a decrease in demand for Paterno merchandise could happen, some feel that there will still be a market for it in the future.
“We are going to continue selling Paterno merchandise as long as there is a demand for it and we continue seeing a demand for it,” one store manager said.
“Paterno is the legend here, a lot of people admire him and he was a very good coach and a great person,” one store owner added. “As long as [the artist] will make the pillows, we will sell them.”
Since the Freeh Report’s release, much debate has arisen on whether the university should remove the Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium. But how can Penn State expect the removal of the statue going over smoothly in the community if people are still buying frivolous T-shirts and pillows of the man?
