Strange happenings at Persecution State
It’s not difficult for sports fans to cross the thin line leading to conspiracy theories.
But sometimes circumstances make it far too easy to break out the tinfoil hats. Predictably, I’m talking about Penn State.
First, the Nittany Lions — contending this year despite draconian NCAA sanctions in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal — watched a win disappear after a questionable play call in Nebraska this past weekend. Adding fuel to the fire was quarterback Matt McGloin, when he said after the game: “We’re not going to get that call here. We’re not going to get that call ever, actually, against any team.” ( Added McGloin: “Man, this cross sure is heavy.”)
Then, thanks to an unfortunate technological glitch — or an insidious vendetta, take your pick — Penn State products disappeared from the NCAA’s merchandising website Tuesday, as though the school never existed.
Though online retailer Fanatics Inc. even- tually issued a statement blaming the disappearance on a glitch associated with “converting to a new and improved operating system,” it didn’t stop some eyebrows from raising ( mostly in the media, mind you).
And perhaps they have a point? Before the problem was fixed, according to Penn State College of Communications TV program Centre County Report, “A representative told us they received an email from the NCAA ( Tuesday) that said the organization decided to take Penn State items off the site, but gave no reason.”
OK, maybe it is a bit weird that only Penn State merchandise was affected, and the comments from the “representative” certainly suggest some kind of odd miscommunication. But there’s no reason for blogs and their brethren to stoke fans’ paranoia over such a minor incident. All it does is cultivate the us- versus- them mentality that got Penn State into trouble in the first place.