While Penn St is obviously not a cult, there is a devotion to the school held by people that outsiders are unable to comprehend. While this is not an apples to apples comparison, I think the perception of the steelers' organization and how that perception has changed can provide some insight.DontToewsMeBro wrote:So you are judging the behavior of people who are reacting to information you have been purposefully ignorant to over the last 3 years? What's more likely--Penn State is a cult, or you are making incorrect assumptions about people who's motives you are unaware of?
The Steelers' used to be viewed as the pinnacle for how a team should be run. They "did things the right way" by employing virtuous players and avoiding the guys with baggage on and off the field. Steelers' nation felt justified in their over the top love for the team and it's organization. This notion was dispelled when some prominent player's conduct was brought into the public light and the response to it by the front office was simply consistent with the rest of the league, ditch the replacement level guys and make token displays of disappointment and reprimand for the stars.
The myth of the steelers' way has accordingly evaporated. The focus is solely on football.
When the Penn St scandal broke, my reaction was, well at least we can get off of this notion of the "Penn St way". I think what Shyster was alluding to in his posts was the denial to move beyond that perception and myth of the Penn St way. I think the response outsiders would understand would be collective disappointment and to move on from this debacle and just be football fans.