THE INCIDENT: A NIGHT OUT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

SMITH’S RESPONSE: A MESSAGE TO THE TEAM AND THE NATION

WHO ARE THE SUSPENDED PLAYERS?

TEAM REACTION: SHOCK, SILENCE, AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR COACH

FAN REACTION: DIVIDED, PASSIONATE, AND LOUD

As news spread, Penn State fans flooded message boards and social media. Responses ranged from supportive to frustrated to outright furious:

SUPPORTIVE FANS

“This is leadership. This is accountability. Smith is the real deal.”

“Tough call but the right call. Culture > wins.”

CRITICAL FANS

NATIONAL MEDIA: “A CULTURE-SETTING DECISION”

IMPACT ON THE UPCOMING GAME

WHY THIS MATTERS — NOT JUST FOR PENN STATE, BUT FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL

THE MESSAGE BEHIND THE DECISION