Muralist repaints halo above former Penn State coach Joe Paterno
Artist Michael Pilato has repainted the halo above former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno on a mural near the university’s campus named ”Inspiration.”
The halo was added shortly after Paterno’s death in January 2012. However Pilato painted over the halo in July of that year following the release of a report that stated Paterno and other university officials had attempted to cover up child abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
Pilato posted a YouTube video titled ”Halos” in which he shows halos being added to all deceased persons on the mural, including Paterno. Pilato also added a blue ribbon on Paterno’s chest to in increase sexual-abuse awareness.
Sandusky was removed from the mural.
In the video, former Penn State football player Bruce Clark is shown helping Pilato paint the yellow halo above Paterno.
“Today I am righting a personal wrong, because today I am repainting the halos I removed from my “Inspiration” mural in State College,” Pilato wrote in the video’s description. “I am not doing this because I believe all who had them were “saints“ I am doing this because it is the right thing to do.”
Pilato also added that he hopes people view the halos in the mural as a reminder of how short a time individuals have to accomplish great things in their lives.
