Joe Paterno Dead at 85
by outsidethesidelines on Jan 22, 2012 10:01 AM CST
in Football
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PrintSad news coming out of State College, even though it was largely expected at this point. Per Pete Thamel of the New York Times:
Paterno had recently turned 85 this past December, and his death comes two and one-half months after his late-night dismissal by Penn State in early November. The reports of his demise last night turned out to be somewhat premature, but unfortunately there was a palpable sense that his death was imminent and seemingly nothing changed throughout the course of the night.
Many will be quick to point to the ugly end of Paterno's coaching career, but for the time I'd argue focus should go on the accomplishments and let the criticisms be weighed another day. Besides, such discussion largely glosses over the difficulties inevitable in the end of any major sports figure. Admittedly, the end was ugly for Paterno and in fairness his sudden fall from grace was perhaps the most dramatic we have seen from any major figure in either professional or collegiate sports in modern history. That caveat, though, is that the end is rarely good for anyone, and in that regard Paterno is no different than Bryant, Rockne, Hayes, Bowden, or most other major sports figures. It rarely ends well and frankly that is why it ends in most instances.
Best of wishes and sincere condolences to Penn State and the Paterno family in a difficult time.
Update: Nick Saban was on Sportscenter earlier to share his thoughts on Paterno's legacy. You can watch the video here. Saban's comments begin around the 2:20 mark.
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agreed
his accomplishments far outshine anything that has happened the last few months, in my mind at least. god speed Joe Pa…
by AlltheGreatQBs on Jan 22, 2012 10:12 AM CST via Android app reply actions
This is the only thing I can think of right now
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;…
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
by rugman11 on Jan 22, 2012 10:30 AM CST reply actions 8 recs
Really can't believe
WS got rec’d.
Oh well, Bama fan base not so brutish after all.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
RIP in JoePa
He bleeds Garnet and Gold, She bleeds Crimson and White. AND THEY BOTH HATE ORANGE! GO NOLES!! ROLL TIDE!!
by gonolesrolltide on Jan 22, 2012 11:08 AM CST reply actions
How odd his last loss was to Bama and dies 2.5 months after his last game.
"I'd settle for a one point victory any day" Paul W. Bryant
JoePa
I respect what Penn State accomplished as a school and program during Coach Paterno’s life and tenure. I think it is fitting that Bama was able to play Penn State during a championship season, and one of Paterno’s last games, just as Bryant played Penn State in one of his last games before his passing. His presence will be missed, but Penn State will continue to be great.
We are Penn State
A great man. A great program. A great legacy.
Let the heads squawk about perceived failures in the end. Let them vent their latent contempt for the perceived disproportionate power of the major college programs, and for sports in general.
The thousands of men that he directly influenced to be better people and the millions of fans that he inspired are enough to sum a life well lived.
The world could use more like him. Rest in peace Coach.
by Acinum on Jan 22, 2012 12:34 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions 2 recs
As Mike Ditka said . . .
Joe Pa was class and it meant something when you beat him. He may have made a non-criminal mistake in judging an awkward situation (or not) but his life and legacy still towers over the twerpy second guessing media types who have never had to deal with a tough situation in their lives. RIP.
by Son of Roaring Dan on Jan 22, 2012 12:34 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Sad, sad day
And probably not that unexpected. This is what Bobby Bowden was afraid of when he “retired”. It happened to Bryant and now it has happened to Paterno. Condolences to the Paterno family and many prayers sent out.
by HarveyBirdmanAAL on Jan 22, 2012 1:36 PM CST reply actions
It's strange that he is gone all of a sudden.
I suppose that’s my only reaction, because I also realize that whether anyone likes it or not, the Sandusky scandal IS part of Paterno’s “legacy.”
OTS, there is quite a wide gulf between the manner in which Paterno and Coach Bryant ended their respective careers.
9th January, 2012: Section 101, Row 1, Seat... I'll let y'all spot that one.
"And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land"
-- "Big John" by Jimmy Dean
The Bear knew when to quit.
"The same things win today that have always won, and they will win years from now. The only difference is the losers have a whole new bunch of excuses why they don’t win or can’t win."-Bear Bryant
(12-4)+2=12 hoping for a +1
Robot Chicken Star Wars should be canon.
by the thin red line on Jan 22, 2012 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
Many would argue that point.
Audemus jura nostra defendere
"What makes a second chance worth having comes from taking advantage of it, from correcting the mistakes you made and burning for redemption. Not wishing for it. Earning it." -Cecil Hurt, 10 JAN 2012
by animalcracker on Jan 22, 2012 8:15 PM CST up reply actions
Well, Bryant knew he was in poor health
even before he set the record. To be honest the way he abused his body it is amazing he lived as long as he did.
Nevertheless, you have to remember Bryant was only 3 seasons removed from back to back NCs and just one season removed from an SEC title in which we were undefeated in the SEC. Starting off in 1982 we won our 1st 5 by big scores. When we blew out Penn St. I felt we could win the NC. And, even with our loss to UT we still had a chance. Then he lost 3 games in a row and he knew it was over. But, I just don’t see from a coaching stand point, not a health standpoint, how he could have left any sooner.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Somehoow, I still remember when OTS said Joe Paterno is gonna die 6 weeks after being fired(just stuck in my head).
He was off by four, though.
I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!
by ccislanders on Jan 23, 2012 12:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
(not responding to ccislanders, just explaining my point) Paterno is not exactly the posterchild for selfishness, that I'll grant his supporters.
Did he “make” Penn State football? Yes, he most certainly did.
However, what I saw in his last 4-5 years was a feeble man who had his assistants doing almost everything on game day while he got to notch more victories for HIS all-time record. Seriously, does ANYONE really believe he was calling defensive or offensive sets during a game? Not even a scandal that happened on his watch could rouse him into retiring — he figured even that could wait until AFTER the season.
I still say there is NO similarity between the manner in which Coach Bryant retired and the much-needed firing of Paterno. Let’s not sugarcoat things.
9th January, 2012: Section 101, Row 1, Seat... I'll let y'all spot that one.
"And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land"
-- "Big John" by Jimmy Dean
by TiderUpNorth on Jan 23, 2012 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
my piece at the mothership on paterno's career
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/1/22/2725465/joe-paterno-dies-career-highlights
SB Nation's The Historical: Because all those games way back when matter.
Disagree strongly
The willingness to forget about what happened with Jerry Sandusky at Penn State, to sweep it under the rug and say nice things about poor old JoePa, is a pretty dramatic display of our lack of priorities as a society. Yes, the way his tenure at Penn State ended is an important part of his legacy. Probably the most important part.
As for how to end things well, Ted Williams and Tony LaRussa would like a word.
by Vidor1 on Jan 22, 2012 2:11 PM CST reply actions 7 recs
Thanks
As a father, I needed to hear your voice of sanity. His football accomplishments do not matter, considering what he allowed to happen for a decade.
by YellowhammerLA on Jan 22, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
AGREED
I’m right there with you.
by TideinOklahoma on Jan 22, 2012 3:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Fear not..
..It’s all condolences and well-wishes now, but if Penn State’s rivals are anything like our rivals, they’ll never let PSU fans forget how Paterno went out, and within 5 years or so, will probably openly refer to him as a rapist and think nothing of it.
by yellowhammer on Jan 22, 2012 6:52 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry
The holier than thou blog is over there -—>
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Are you pointing to your avy?
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." - George Carlin
by Slice of Life on Jan 23, 2012 7:39 AM CST up reply actions
No, past it.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Vidor1 wasn't being "holier than thou." If anything, he/she is making a very valid point.
Personally, it makes me sick listening to some of the ESPN stuffed suits talking about him like his canonization is imminent.
9th January, 2012: Section 101, Row 1, Seat... I'll let y'all spot that one.
"And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land"
-- "Big John" by Jimmy Dean
by TiderUpNorth on Jan 23, 2012 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
The Rock
died in plane crash in Kansas (I’ve been to the spot) and although it was a shame he died so young he certainly went out on top. His final two seasons at ND he went undefeated both years and won 2 NC.
It was sad that he died but not sad as in Paterno, Hayes, and Bowden. Even Coach Bryant’s last year was sad except the Liberty Bowl.
This is the question that has to now haunt Saban at age 60. How do leave, leave on top, but not leave chips on the table?
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
The Tooth Fairy died?
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
I'm assuming you actually know
who The Rock was. But the tooth fairy has been dead for sometime now.
If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.
Dwayne Johnson?
"There are 40 rules all Schrute boys must learn by age 5. Rule #17- There are 3 things you never turn your back on--- Bears, men you have wronged, and a dominant male turkey during mating season."
Do you smell what the rock is cooking?
#smellslikesteroids
While bryants last year
Was not up to his standards, he at least was carried off the field on the shoulders of his players.
Roll Tide!
by mobilematt12 on Jan 22, 2012 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
Hopefully,
Saban goes out like Stallings.
The Bear died.
Perkins went to TB, Ark St., retired a TE coach, now a JC HC.
Curry to Kentucky, now GaSt.
Dubose a HS coach, then Millsaps HC, now Memphis DL coach.
Fran TAMU, now TxSt.
Mike Price UTEP.
Shula Jacksonville QB coach.
Saban needs to retire in his prime, go to the lake with Miss Terry, listen to the Eagles, and watch the ducks…
"The same things win today that have always won, and they will win years from now. The only difference is the losers have a whole new bunch of excuses why they don’t win or can’t win."-Bear Bryant
(12-4)+2=12 hoping for a +1
Robot Chicken Star Wars should be canon.
by the thin red line on Jan 22, 2012 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
Saban has many years before he has to worry about that.
So do kindly STFU, please. :)
God bless our Dark Lord.
Yeah
no way Mrs. Terry lets him get away with leaving chips on the table. Cleaning up after yourself is part of the process.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
It’s a sad day.
A great coach goes out without having a chance to enjoy his retirement. The Bear, at least, knew when to quit. Unfortunately, JoePa’s irresponsibility and cowardice, as well as the scandal and his being fired, will forever stain his career.
"The same things win today that have always won, and they will win years from now. The only difference is the losers have a whole new bunch of excuses why they don’t win or can’t win."-Bear Bryant
(12-4)+2=12 hoping for a +1
Robot Chicken Star Wars should be canon.
by the thin red line on Jan 22, 2012 4:06 PM CST reply actions
I remember where I was when I heard the Bear died...
…a few moments later, I turned on the radio (Montgomery’s Y-102?) and they were taking calls (remember, there was no such animal as sports-talk radio in 1983). One caller took pride in that Auburn would be the last team ever to defeat Bryant. I didn’t understand it then. Somehow, I now take pride that ’Bama was the last team to defeat Paterno.
Four things you'll never hear me say:
"How 'bout them Dawgs!"
"W__ D___ E____!"
"Go (Winnipeg) J___ Go!"
"I welcome Mizzou to the SEC."
by Black ice in Alabama on Jan 22, 2012 10:25 PM CST reply actions
Not to threadjack,
but I’m a university professor and got this email this afternoon:
The incidents we have seen in media reports as of late are a reminder of the importance of responding to incidents to University Policy and Safety, or other appropriate law enforcement agencies. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our institutional Emergency Operating Plan and related reporting procedures.
Today, to conform with a new Kansas Board of Regents Policy, I signed a University Policy requiring the reporting of crimes of child sexual assault to the appropriate authorities. This policy reads:
University faculty and staff are required to report incidents of child sexual abuse, as defined by K.S.A. 21-5501 et seq., they witness on campus or during University sponsored events to University Police and Safety, or other appropriate law enforcement. Retaliation for lawfully reporting crimes is prohibited.
This Policy will be available in the University Policy Manual.
I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the requirements of reporting incidents of sexual harassment or assault as required by the University Equal Employment Opportunity, Equal Educational Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy and the Harassment and Discrimination Policies and Procedures.
Please take a few moments to visit the campus safety web page and University Policy Manual for additional information regarding emergencies and reporting incidents. Please also use these resources if you believe someone needs assistance.
JoePa did just that
and he didn’t even witness it.
report incidents of child sexual abuse, as defined by K.S.A. 21-5501 et seq., they witness on campus or during University sponsored events to University Police
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
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