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Share your thoughts, memories of Joe Paterno

  • The first time I met Joe Paterno, I was a waiter at the Nittany Lion Inn. He was at the table next to my service area. He was a gentleman and wow, what a dancer. Joe and Sue really had a special bond. Afterwards, I saw him on campus numerous times. On one occasion, I was walking home from a roller hockey game and our paths intersected. He was probably on his way home. He asked me how the season was going. In complete awe, I said, “Its been a great season coach.” He offered words of encouragement and I returned with “Thank you coach.” We both went on our way. I never played for the Penn State hockey team but the pick-up games were going well. My level of amazement moved my mind into robotic responses. After graduation, I attended an alumni function in Philadelphia and Joe was the main speaker. Somewhere, I have a picture from that day. Over the years, there were so many games but Joe’s final game was one that I’ll hold in my heart for my rest of my life. That team fought all four quarters.

    Joe. Coach. Mr. Paterno. He inspired me to be a better man. He reinforced the definitions of life’s priorities. Real priorities. We’ll all miss Joe but he’s right there with you and I. He’s in our hearts. He’s in our minds. Its now our time to inspire and reinforce Joe’s ideals. Move forward with pride. Move forward with the best of a great man.

    Wonka ●

  • From a Notre Dame fan,

    I followed Penn State because of Joe Pa. I've always felt his ability as a coach was very underestimated, and he should be held in the highest esteem with all great college coaches.

    For me, and I mean no disrespect, my interest in the goings on at Happy Valley will never be the same, Joe made me care.

    To all of the Penn State faithful, and most of all the Paterno family; I wish you all God's grace.

    Joe is more than football.

    No down-vote please - thank you! No down-vote por favor, gracias ! Gringo Mafia ~ amigo el número cuatro

    kking

  • God bless the PSU community & the Paterno family in their hour of need, JoePa stood for doing things right. 5 decades of doing it the right way.

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    Eddie George, Simply the best

    osufan

  • I posted this in another thread but thought I would post it here also!

    So sorry to hear of these developements! I have watched the entire Bama and Penn St. Series and I have always had so much respect for the Penn St. program and Coach Paterno. It is with sadness that I right under this circumstance but I have great and fond memories of the past history between these two programs. All of our prayers in the Bama Nation go out to the family and the Penn St. Nation in these sad times. God Bless and a Roll Tide for Joe Pa!

    Rest in Peace Joe Pa!

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    iwasrunning

  • Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.

    This was always the quote that stuck out to me, I try to remember that with my family and with my job.

    Also here is a good story at how Joe affected me. When I was a sophomore At Bishop McDevitt high school I had gotten my first start at linebacker. My aspirations were to play at linebacker-u. Well towards the end of that game i made a tackle in the backfield, I jumped up and celebrated a bit. I remember after that game the first thing my dad said to me "Joe would never tolerate that dancing around after a tackle" we laughed but I nevered did it again. Nor did I ever get recruit by Joe but I never held that against him.....lol

    DjHart

  • I said in another thread that I wasn't gonna post anymore tonight, cause it was too painful talking about this. That was before I saw this thread. Joe Paterno was the main reason I chose to attend PSU I am a life long fan and a alum. Being at PSU was the best four years of my life. I never had the chance to meet Joe but I remember attending Psu football games every Saturday and seeing him on the sidelines. He has given so much to the university and he is what Psu is all about. The greatest coach ever.

    Joseph Vincent Paterno!!!!

    KPR

  • 10 years ago at the age of 75, joe decided to do something that he historically would not have done. He punted. Hoping that others would deal with a situation that he shouldn't have had to manage, but they failed him and the university. Why is it that joe was fired but others are on administrative leave? I seem to remember that Sandusky was not employed by joe in 2002. And, when informed this spring about the investigation, why didn't PSU trustees " do more"? Dozens of people failed to act....sorry joe.

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    pwpitch

  • I went to psu for the education, the experience, and for the institution that Joepa built. My memories of Joe are 1) walking to compsci101 class sophomore year and Joe almost running over me in his Volvo whipping around a corner by East halls and waiving to me "sorry" with a huge grin on his face, hilarious thinking what would have happened if Joepa had ran me over? 2) seeing him coach against Indiana at Fedex field last year and turning to my now wife, while with tears in my eyes, saying "i think this is the last time I see Joepa" and now realizing it actually was...makes me more sad. He was a great man and an even better role model, whether you played for him or not, he was an inspiration. Pray for Joepa

    PSUChris

  • Class through and through. Love and respect the old man regardless of whatever ESPN makes up.

    Sam Fritz ●

  • My first memory of Joe Paterno is from the Fiesta Bowl vs Miami. I was a typical kid, had jumped on the Hurricane band wagon. I hated Joe Pa for beating the 'Canes. Recently seeing that game on BTN, I realize how young and dumb I was. As a coach myself and fan Joe Pa was one I greatly admired.

    I can say, of all my great Buckeye memories in college and after, getting to witness Joe Pa coach three times in the 'Shoe is among my favorite!

    My Prayers to the Paterno's and all of those in the Penn State Family. God Bless.

    but_why_not

  • Prayers to the family,,from Bama nation,god bless

    john

  • From all of us in Buckeye Nation, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Paterno family, the Penn State fan base, and everyone that was influenced by this man.

    Paterno is by far one of the best coaches to have ever walked the sidelines and a decent human being from nearly all of the articles that I have read.

    We may not always like you guys on and off the field, but we know how special your coach is. He truly is the last of the great old school coaches.

    criddle

  • I just teared up finally realizing that the Illinois game was the last game coached by Joe. It was an honor to be there, and also at #400. At least his last one was a nail biter!

    PSUTodd217

  • Another Cane fan here, I just wanted to say this man outside of recent events and still is a man u can look up to, listen to some of his speeches and feel lifted in spirit, his presence is honored no matter what. He was a man of great Morale Aptitude, football genius, and a family man. My hat goes off and my prayers go out to you Joepa God bless your soul!

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    fearthau83 ●

  • Canes fan here...thoughts and prayers.. Joe Pa is as good as they come and a true icon in college football

    zachrobley ●

  • I can't read this right now without tears welling up. I unfortunately never met him. I am a college football fan more so than any other sport because of him. Because he always represented the good in athletics. I love sports but often struggle with the reason I love them and the people in them. Joe was always the beacon of light that I felt represented the good in sports. He is my childhood hero. I had others but I got older and wiser but Joe was always there. God bless you Joe. I will never lose sight of what sports and being a coach are truly about.

    Gunslinger317

  • Dear mr. Paterno, I've coached 12-15 yolds, in football with my brother in law. Two championship game losses consecutive. Kids still come up to me 2-3 yrs later with respect and dignity. With an extended hand I get a look in the eye and a firm shake and a "what's up coach?" I always wanted to hit like mays shoot like Jordan and coach like joe! I will always try to live up to lofty expectations, the kind I learned to have of u! Ty joe pa ur glow will never dim Ty!

    Huss462

  • As an Alabama fan all my life, much of my memories growing up was that of the great games between Alabama and Penn State with two great legends coaching their respected teams. Coach Paterno will always be respected in my eyes as much as Coach Bryant. I am glad that I was able to attend last years game in Tuscaloosa to see JoePa walk the sidelines with my own eyes. Many prayers go out to the Paterno family and the Penn State fans.

    crimsontidexbx

  • As an Alabama fan all my life, much of my memories growing up was that of the great games between Alabama and Penn State with two great legends coaching their respected teams. Coach Paterno will always be respected in my eyes as much as Coach Bryant. I am glad that I was able to attend last years game in Tuscaloosa to see JoePa walk the sidelines with my own eyes. Many prayers go out to the Paterno family and the Penn State fans.

    crimsontidexbx

  • "believe deep down in your heart you're destined to do great things"...something I will always live by.....he made me a penn state fan

    ho31simms ●

  • JoePa was, is and will always be a person that we should never forget. A man of character and values that everyone should consider following. We ALL have made mistakes in our lives, it's those that learn from them that make us better people.

    Thank you Mr "JoePa" Vincent Paterno. You are ...... And always will be ...... PENN STATE!

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    Wmpsu ●

  • our condolences to the family from all the Canes Fans. RIP Joe Paterno

    ILOVETHEU

  • Humanitarian, now an angel

    "Cappy"

    CapitalBuck

  • I am an ALABAMA fan but will ALWAYS hold coach Paterno in my heart next to Coach Bryant.

    GO Lions - Roll Tide

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    crimsonman69 ●

  • May god bless the psu family and the paterno family.. Psu truly has a guardian angel looking over them now.. College football lost a big part of it's history with this lost.. From da []_[] to linebacker []_[]..

    lilhavanaCanes

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