Photo courtesy of Penn State Live under creative commons license
After reports yesterday that legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno was in failing health and that family was being called to his bedside, it is now being reported that coach Joe Paterno has died at age 85.
Let us remember him for the good that he gave to the world of college football.
You can read the Paterno family’s official statement by clicking here.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
joe paterno, what college life is about, he made penn state, and left the college world with a broken heart….. somewhere in all this mess you have to reflect on his positive with out starting the conversation with the negitives . Does he belong on mt. rushmore ? perhaps not. But he belongs in every football fans heart, not as a coach, but a passionate educator who believed in students, penn state and family. He is part of america s greatest generation , that dwindles every day. To the NCAA HIS passing is like loseing your father or any parent, something that you reflect on for the rest of your life…
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I hope the mob is content with themselves now. I’m just happy for him that he no longer has to worry about what more he could have done for the victims. As much as I’m hearing he died over a broken heart with the loss of his stature as head football coach of Penn State, I’m sure he felt just as worse for the victims and the current state of Penn State because if he’s proven one thing over time – he loved Penn State and he loved molding young people.
I agree! What is tragic is that the broken heart was due to protecting a big time million dollar program! Joe Pa was the #1 guy on campus—had the power to affect any situation, and he chose to pass the buck, only to regret it later. It’s tragic that for all the young men he helped, he will be remembered for not protecting the victims that will suffer the rest of their lives. The victims are the issue here, not big time football or Joe Pa–put yourself in the victim’s shoes—???? Does it matter how many wins Joe-Pa had??? Character is not what you preach—it’s what you DO!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Dad went to Penn State in the late 30′s then got drafted into WWII, survived and finished his education at Saint Lawrence University — but as a kid growing up in the 60′s and 70′s I remember dearly watching Penn State games with my Dad……Joe was a hero to him, a standard, not merely a football coach, but as an educator. My Dad passed in 2002, and somehow, Joe was in my mind, a living legacy of my Dad, whom I saw as……..a strong moral compass, seeking knowledge, giving it your all, having passion, excellence and expertise…….neither Man was perfect, but that’s not the point, both tried to improve the lives of young people………….. and they did…………………..
AMEN my father left OHIO STATE in 1943 a freshman and walk to FT. Hayes fom campus and inlisted. He survived as well and he always told me how much better college football was then pro. He also loved penn state and only rooted against PSU when they played OSU. When PSU joined the big ten i remember him saying Bucks we got are hands full now jopaw gonna have a say so in this confrence. He died in 2005 but he did get to go to one game against PSU and threw all that excitement i will never for get when paterno was yelling at a ref , my dad screamed give m hell joe. And when the band started playing across the field my dad said if you dont get goose bumps when the band plays damnit you aint a buckeye. As i look back and think about joe paterno i see how my fathers life through college football Men like that are a once in a life time relationship and you dont realize it till there gone… Joe Paterno thank you and God Bless you. Coach you were what Fall Saturdays were all about.
would you feel the same about a great inner-city teacher??? they would be in jail for looking the other way!—-and how many saturdays in the fall caused suffering for the victims as “sandusky” coached while Joe Pa looked on—knowing—knowing—and doing nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He notified his immediate superiors, he was not complicit. There is no evidence to my knowledge that he attempted to suppress any information.
Joe will be missed by all college football fans everywhere. He was an Icon the likes of which we will never see again. Lung cancer might have done him in, but without being able to coach his beloved Penn State he had nothing to live for. Rest in peace Joe.
Anyone hear that The Vest is being considered for the Colt head coach?
yea i heard that and in his interview he felt that the colts should trade picks with the Raiders for there pick plus Pryor . Then line up in the I formation and play boring offense. IT would also help Pryor for Payton to teach him life skills and how to be a better person. Maybe throw in gene smith as GM. AFC loves offense not field management .
Chip Kelly’s interview with the Tampa Bay Bucks:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a78/nursetpd/PAC%2010/Chip_Kelly_NFL.gif
Ohio State is moving to Tampa Bay?
update…..remember when fans were saying the game of college football had passed Joe by? When i hear that, i reflect on a newspaper picture i saw once of Joe and Sue personally handing out pizzas to students standing in line for a PSU game, or maybe to get tickets, i can’t remember……Joe knows!