I don’t want to hear about the peripheral damage to student-athletes. I don’t want to hear about the millions of dollars lost in revenues to academia. I don’t want to hear about TV contracts and the integrity of the schedule. And I don’t want to hear about due process. I just want to hear the following from Penn State this week:

“Due to the seriousness of the allegations and for the sensitivity of all families affected by developments that have come to light, Penn State University has canceled the remainder of its football season and forfeits all participation.”

The heinous crimes that are purported to have taken place will require years of healing, and even then, the scars will remain. Just ask the University of Maryland in the wake of the Len Bias tragedy in 1986.

This isn’t about providing a distraction for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon. This isn’t about giving an 84-year-old man his moment of glory. The chance for that was flushed down the drain the moment he didn’t turn in the monster that once worked for him, allowing Jerry Sandusky to allegedly continue the most evil of crimes upon defenseless human beings.

This is about contrition and sorrow. This is about sympathy and healing. This is about sensitivity. And most of all, this is about human decency.

Just because you cancel the rest of the schedule, which includes Senior Day against Nebraska in State College this Saturday and road games against Ohio State and Wisconsin, doesn’t mean you are admitting anything legally.

It means you -- as a state college and an institution of higher learning -- understand the bigger picture.

It means you are showing your students, alumni, benefactors and community a lesson in the bigger picture.

Sometimes, life doesn’t “just go on.” It sure doesn’t for the alleged victims and their families. Sometimes, life requires you stopping, thinking and reflecting about your missteps, no matter how small or large.

There’s not a single administrator who can right the wrongs that have taken place -- apparently since 1999.

There’s no going back and correcting now.

There’s only a time and place for reconciliation and a begging for forgiveness.

Penn State, for the love of God, please don’t just fire Joe Paterno. Show how sorry you are by holding a vigil inside Beaver Stadium for victims of child abuse everywhere.

Use the proceeds that would have come from the home finale and the two road games and give them to organizations that legitimately fight child abuse.

Legal eagles would say this opens Penn State up to complicit admission.

To which I would answer: Consider what lies ahead -- criminal and civil cases for years to come, the possible death of a national football program and ruins for your multi-billion dollar institution of higher learning.

It is an admission of the sensitivity of the situation and would give you some footing in the court of public opinion.

If the AP report on Wednesday is true, and the school actually let Joe Paterno retire at the end of season, then Penn State will need all the help it can get.

I’m waiting. The families of the alleged victims are waiting. The country is waiting.

Please, I beg of you, Penn State, do the right thing for once.