A Poem: Are We Still Penn State?

From former football Patrick Mauti, by John Semmer…

The witch hunt is over.

The mob got their wish
To land a defenseless carcass on their dish…

Because no one would stop them,
No one would say
“There are still unheard players In this tragic play”

So they asked for an arm,
And a leg and a head,
And were given a statue.

While all our hearts bled, The hypocrites blathered with hate and disdain.
They wanted us dead, But they’ll still show our games?

But I know they can’t kill us; They can’t keep us weak.
We will not be cowered because our leaders were meek.

Penn state is just football? Not on your life.
It’s because we are more, That we will beat this strife.

The professors will research, find the next cure.
The students will party, Of that I am sure.

Rose’s girls will keep spiking, Cael’s boys keep on pinning,
And despite what “they” say, It won’t just be ‘bout winning.

They’ll do it the right way, As has always been done.
They can vacate the wins, But we know what we won.

Tell it to M Rob, Tell it to Poz, To Sean Lee and Connor — Then protect your jaws.

Penn State’s about people, Penn State’s about pride.
The NCAA can’t govern what we feel inside.

They can’t kill our memories, Can’t take back our friends,
And they can’t force our story to a premature end.

The haters can hate us, Our leaders can cave.
But our student body can’t be made to behave.

They’ll still dance for cancer, Their studies won’t cease.
They will change the world, If not solve world peace.

How to move forward? JoePa knows that play,
Written worlds only hurt if you believe what they say.

We all know the truth, Where the failings occurred
And won’t let our entire culture get slurred.

Coach OB is staying, A man with some courage.
He faces a challenge and won’t be discouraged.

The fans back with a vengeance, Led by a great leader.
Though they MIGHT be fewer, The wins will be sweeter.

When each season is over And the games are all played,
The players can proudly say “I’m one who stayed.”

They’ll mean more in our hearts than any past team,
Because they all hung tough when Prez Rod made us scream.

Kick us while we’re down? Do at your own risk
Because we will be back like a tornadoes’ twist.

You learn more about people when you’re at your worst low.
Who is behind me as I get up and go?

Go harness your anger. Let it drive you each day,
To keep Penn State great and make our enemies pay.

We will get our revenge when we just won’t die,
When we don’t limp away to our bedroom and cry.

The last chapter’s not written, We still own our fate,
It’s up to us to decide ARE WE STILL PENN STATE?”