From the galvanizing forces of the Arab Spring and Occupy; from visionaries like Steve Jobs to apparent fiends like Jerry Sandusky and Bill Conlin; from the privileged 1 percent to the rest of us 99, there were plenty of lessons to take from 2011 into the new year.
The biggest takeaway? You don't have to resort to Tebowing to ride a winning streak. God grants blessings not based on the righteousness you perpetrate but by the righteous truth you live.
Children victimized
Take the horrific scandal that has taken down a posse of powerful men who colluded with deceit to protect the illustrious Penn State football program.
Sure, Sandusky looked like the salt of the earth on paper. A beloved coach at a beloved institution whose seeming benevolence gave rise to the Second Mile foundation, a nonprofit he founded designed to help at-risk children.
Unfortunately, Sandusky is accused of perpetrating sick assaults on those same disadvantaged children.
And a group of enablers was willing to keep a secret, choosing the institution over the children.
But a recent grand jury report revealed all - the years of alleged abuse and coverup.
Which is fitting. As my Bible-toting grandmother used to say, what's done in the dark will eventually come to light.
Conlin, too
You have to wonder, after reports that he molested children 40 years ago, what will become of Conlin, the Hall of Fame sportswriter who, by his own estimation, is "a lot bigger to the Daily News than Sandusky ever was to Penn State."
Too bad the New Jersey statute of limitations for prosecuting him has run out. It looks like Conlin gets to slink away without having to pay a dime or serve any time, with everything except his reputation intact.
Some people would say your good name is everything. Truth is, I don't care about Conlin. In the 10 years I covered sports, I never crossed paths with him, and I'm glad. To me, he's just one more cockroach scrambling when the light's turned on.
