The Lions' Pride

When I wrote Joe to please send a card to my PSU-alumni parents for their 50th anniversary (seven years ago), not only did he do so, but it wasn't one of those institutional cards. It was a wonderfully personal card and showed he took the time to get it right. It's typical of his nature.

Joe Paterno was a great human being. He wasn't perfect, nobody is. But he did a hell of a job living a full life. Remember Joe for the good he did...not his mistakes.

He'll always be our coach, the Head Coach of Pennsylvania State University. He'll continue to live through former players, current players, alumni, current, and future students.

WE ARE...Penn State!

Much Love, Joe. Thanks.

From a Buckeye fan, so sorry for your loss. JoePa was a great coach. He will be missed by many across the college football landscape. RIP Joe.

As i posted in another thread:

I had the honor of meeting Joe once at the Nittany Lion Inn. My mother and I were supposed to be meeting my Dad at a awards dinner in one of the banquet halls, and my mom must have misheard which one to go to. Because next thing I know, were in line right behind Joe. Before going to the right place, my mom decided I had to meet him.

Since I was in High School at the time, my mom made a joke about me wanting to come to Penn State because of Joe. Joe's response was so down to earth and humble, that I will never forget it. He shook my hand and said "Don't come to Penn State because of me. Come to Penn State because you want to and it's the best thing for you." The fact that a living legend would be so humble and care about some kid he didn't even know, and would probably never see again, only made my love for Penn State and my respect for him grow.

I know that I will preach his values and importance of education to my kids and tell them all about Joe.

Thank you for all the memories Joe. I am praying for you and your family.

From an Alabama fan. My prayers to the Penn State family for your loss. I know that him and Coach Bryant had a friendship (I know that Coach Paterno called him "Paul" which obviously spoke to their close relationship). My best memory of Coach Paterno will be of him walking to the locker room at halftime of the Alabama/Penn State game in 2010 at Bryant/Denny stadium. As he walked by the Alabama student section they gave him a standing ovation as he walked off the field. That is called RESPECT ladies and gentlemen.

Seeing him stroll past my childhood home on many of his "famous daily walks." I grew up in College Heights near the golf course area and Ridge Avenue must of been a part of one of his charted walks. RIP.

From a buckeye fan. My prayers go out to all the Penn State family as well as Coach Paterno's family. He was a man I respected and admired as a coach as well as a person who did so much for the players he coached. He was a class man and regardless of Sandusky's actions, he will always be the great coach in my heart.

When I think of Coach Paterno, I think of Penn State, and I am filled with nostalgia and sweet memories. As an Alabama fan, there isn't another opposing coach or program that I admire and respect more.

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Penn State family and Coach Paterno's loved ones tonight and moving forward. Coach Paterno will undoubtedly have a familiar face and a good friend welcoming him to Heaven.

God bless you all.

Most people will remember Joe for everything he did on the gridiron as they followed the team. But my best memories are what he did for young men who came from backgrounds that were not good and he taught them to be men, football players and graduates of PSU.

I have been lucky in my life to have met joe almost 30 years ago. I have been lucky to share some meals with joe in my younger years. Joe held a conversation with me even thou I was a kid and he gave me advice and words tolive by that I never figured out until I was much older. There are 2 college football coaches that I have grown to admire and respect joe and Dooley. I treasure the moments and time joe has given to me and psu.

I wish i could of played for you but i did meet you one time. its was one of the best days of my life and i thnk you for that RIP Joepa

I'll never forget the first time I met Joe. We were scheduled to fly to a fundraising event in Pittsburgh out of the PSU hangar and there was bad weather moving in. This was also right after Sue had broken her leg - so Joe wasn't really in the mood to fly out there and be away from her. Myself, Rene Portland, Joe, and Jeff Nelson are sitting in the office area of the hangar debating whether or not we were going to go and Joe looks at me and says, "What do you think we should do, Ace?" After I picked my jaw off the floor I managed to say I didn't mind either way.

Ultimately we decided not to go, but on the way out to the parking lot Joe and I had a long chat about the Lehigh Valley and the upcoming season - truly a class act.