Legends are hard to come by these days, at least legends of this kind. And despite the controversy, Joe Paterno left his mark on countless millions. How will you remember him? I am just one, but I choose to remember him this way:
For making every football Saturday during my four years at Penn State unforgettable, whether we won or lost, and we mostly won.- For all he did for the “kids” who towered over him as his Penn State players.
- For his selfless contributions to support excellence at Penn State.
- For his commitment to academics and the achievement of his players.
- For the way he ran on the field with the team.
- For the thrill of winning a national championship my senior year.
- For giving me a sense of pride in my school that began at age 18 and is still with me today.
- For scaring the crap out of me when I walked down my dad’s basement and glimpsed from the corner of my eye a life-size “pop-up Joe” in the shadows.
- For being a fellow Italian who made my dad proud.
- For being a role model of perseverance.
- For the way 50,000 people in Beaver Stadium would shout “Jopa” and the other 50,000 would shout “Terno.”
- For his rolled up pants, white socks and black shoes.
- For the way he screamed at players who taunted the opponent or celebrated too much.
- For being carried on the shoulders of his team more than once, and the joy on his face.
- For being strong while being humble.
- For his fight and his unwavering loyalty to white and blue.
Thanks for the moments. We’ll miss you, Joe.
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JoePa was an inspiration to live with integrity!
What I remember about Joe Paterno is that he was the coach I grew up with when I was listening to Penn State games on the radio or watching them on TV. When I had the privilege of attending Penn State, he was the embodiment of the integrity and honor that are the tradition of PSU. He inspired me to try my best to be the best, but never ‘dance in the end zone’ about it. I have tried to take what he stood for, fairness, excellence, and scholarship, into every facet of my life. His impact on people’s lives extended far beyond those of his players. My best memory of Coach Paterno is when I met him on campus my senior year. He was walking downtown to mail a letter. I asked him if I could walk with him and he said, “that was fine.” We talked about Penn State and John Wooden (legendary basketball coach of UCLA who had just won the National Championship the night before. Joe also had watched the game.). This past fall, I saw Joe lead the Nittany Lions on to the field for the last time at the Iowa game. Though Joe passed into eternity this morning, what he stood for in all of those that love him will live on in perpetuity.