Artist removes Joe Paterno's halo from Penn State mural

[LynneSin]

Artist removes Joe Paterno's halo from Penn State mural

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/14/12743438-artist-removes-joe-paternos-halo-from-penn-state-mural

On Saturday, muralist Michael Pilato altered his famous Penn State artwork – by removing a halo painted over the head of former head football coach Joe Paterno – because of revelations about Paterno’s role in the child sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the university.

The mural, which adorns the university bookstore at the corner of Heister Streets and College Avenue in State College, Pa., depicts a group of local luminaries, including Paterno, who was head coach of the Penn State football team for nearly 46 years. Pilato had added the halo after Paterno’s death on Jan. 22.

Pilato and his family have been friends with the Paternos for many years so this decision was a tough one, he said. But after considering what was revealed in last week's Freeh report, Pilato said, he "had no choice."


<<<<snip>>>>

After removing the halo, Pilato painted a blue ribbon over the chest of the late coach’s image.

"The last time I saw Joe in his home before he died, he said to me, 'I wish there were classes taught on sexual abuse,'" Pilato said. "The blue ribbon signifies awareness of the sexual abuse and knowing where Joe's thoughts were on this, I felt it was appropriate to give him the blue ribbon."

[rfranklin]

1. A football coach given the status of a saint...that's about as sacreligious as you can get...

Universities have to get these guys under control.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I like how quickly he went to work on the correction.

[HopeHoops]

3. It ate half of the A section of our paper this morning. It belongs in Sports.

[Zoeisright]

4. Well that should make the victims feel better.

NOT.

[Initech]

5. Just doing what Penn State does best - cover it up.