Now we know.  The report from former FBI Director Louis Freeh into the Penn State child sex abuse scandal redefines Joe Paterno as a villain, rather than a hero. 

Paterno, of course, is the late and legendary football coach at Penn State.  He has an unparalleled record of triumphs on the field.  

But as far back as 1998 and 2001 Mr. Paterno knew that Jerry Sandusky, his defensive coordinator, was a sexual predator and did no more than report the incident to other administrators at Penn State, while continuing to work alongside Sandusky.

The Freeh report concludes he did this, along with other administrators, "in order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity" to the school and, particularly, its football team.

Last month, Sandusky was convicted of sexually assaulting ten boys.

Before his death, Mr. Paterno stated that he was devastated by these events and wished he had done more to prevent them. Yet, he also dictated the draft of an opinion letter stating that nothing about the events should tarnish the reputation of Penn State football.