Remembering Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno was once the face of Penn State and one of the most respected coaches in all of football, both collegiate and professional. His life was filled with innumerable successes that have been overshadowed in recent months by controversy. He died Sunday at the age of 85.

It is often hard for society as a whole to stay positive about a man who played a role in one of the most disgusting stories in college sports. While Paterno may not have been directly involved in the alleged child abuse case against Jerry Sandusky, there have been allegations he knew about the alleged abuse, but said nothing.

“I didn’t exactly know how to handle it … I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn’t work out that way.” Paterno stated in his final days to Sally Jenkins, a Washington Post columnist.

Paterno had coached at Penn State for a total of 62 seasons. He began coaching in 1950 as a 23-year-old assistant and took over the position of head coach in 1966. He was relieved of his duties shortly before the end of the 2011 season after 46 years as the team’s head coach.

In his tenure as head coach he has won 409 games and 24 bowl games — the most in college football. Penn State also went undefeated five times and won two national championships during his time as the team’s head coach.

Paterno’s life should be remembered by his countless accomplishments and the impact he has had on others throughout the years. He was a man who showed dedication to a team and a community throughout his entire adult life. It is a trait that is uncommon in this day and age.

He was a man who genuinely cared about his players and pushed them to be the best men they could be, both on the field and off. He was a role model for everyone who knew him personally and for countless others who did not.

Above all he was a man who admitted he was not perfect and made mistakes–even in his final days.


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