(CNN) -- An extensive internal review of the debacle at Penn State that left a child sex abuser in place on campus for years forever casts a shadow over a heroic figure at the school: Joe Paterno. The report, the result of months of investigation, finds Paterno and a few other top officials not only showed a "callous and shocking disregard for child victims," but also helped "empower" assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky to attract victims, according to former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who spearheaded the review. Review at Penn State: 'Total disgard' for the victims Allegations have swirled around Paterno, the legendary head football coach who led Penn State to national prominence, since the scandal broke last year. Still, the official independent review deals a heavy blow to those who love college football and idolize Paterno.
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Freeh review finds Joe Paterno and others showed "shocking disregard" for victims
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Some students say the legendary head football coach has been scapegoated
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Paterno's family says he must not have understood what Sandusky was doing
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This is not "Joe Paterno University," a new graduate and avid football fan says
The family statement acknowledged, "It can be argued that Joe Paterno should have gone further," but it deflected blame from him, saying @placeholder assumed others were "doing their jobs."