We never got to say goodbye.

Before I start this rant, I'd like it to be known that I do not condone what happened at Penn State. It's a tragedy of epic proportions and it could have been prevented.

So many people are bashing PSU fans who continue to show support for Joe Paterno following his dismissal as head coach of Penn State. What they fail to realize is that Paterno has been a grandfather figure to so many who follow the team. In fact, he was almost the same exact age as my own grandfather.

When we lose loved ones suddenly in life, what is the common thing many of us say? "I wish we had more time" or "I never got to say goodbye."

I'm going to focus on the second one. Paterno will not have a chance to coach another game unless some crazy athletic director decides to hire an 84 year-old coach to be the face of his program. Very doubtful since that same athletic director would promptly be fired for making such a move.

There will be no final home game ceremony to honor him. No final chance for the PSU faithful to shower him with accolades for all the good he's done in building Penn State into a national powerhouse.

The fans were robbed of that because of a scandal that also shook their pride in Penn State to the core.

Whatever you think of Paterno's involvement in this scandal and subsequent cover up, it doesn't change the fact he's arguably the greatest college football coach ever, at least in D-I/FBS football.

I fully understand why you can't honor him at this time, but that doesn't mean his fans shouldn't be allowed to share their feelings of support for what he did ON THE FIELD.

Penn State has always felt like a large family, and no matter what you think of a family member's failings, they are still your family.

Paterno is the grandfather of Penn State. Many out there, myself included, are still in shock at just how quickly he was gone. Just last week he won his 409th game as head coach, moving into 2nd all time in college football history. No one could have known it would be his final time patrolling the Penn State sidelines.

Yes he's still alive and facing the music for what happened but in terms of football he's dead. Let us grieve his loss however we see fit.

Instead of the negative, focus on the positive responses the student community and alumni have done since the scandal went public.

The candlelight vigil Friday night on the lawn of Old Main was emotional and proved that not all PSU students are interested in rioting to show support for Paterno.

At the time I write this article, Penn State supporters have already raised over $295,000 of their $500,000 goal to support R.A.I.N.N. (Rape Abuse Incest National Network).

McLanahan's Penn State will donate all proceeds from the sale of Nebraska Blueout t-shirts this weekend. They can be purchased online at www.pennstateroom.com

None of this will ever make up for the unspeakable tragedy that has occurred. It will never atone for the horrendous acts that Jerry Sandusky committed, and will never fulfill the moral obligations that Paterno, Mike McQueary, Tim Curley, Gary Schultz, and Graham Spanier failed to uphold.

It does show you that not everyone at Penn State are monsters. Many of us are fine upstanding individuals with large, heavy hearts in the wake of these scandals. We are just as disgusted as the rest of the world at these allegations, and fully support the legal process and hope the hammer comes down on everyone responsible.

On top of that though, we've lost a grandfather figure in the process. Let us deal with this in our own ways.

We are...Penn State.

We are...grieving.