Joe Paterno and Penn State Doing it Right

There are many storied programs in college football - USC, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Florida State, Florida, LSU, Ohio State - and all have taken their lumps and have had their ups and downs and their challenges. They have all gone through big changes - changes in Athletic Directors, changes in coaches, even changes in mascots. But you look at one of those programs that hasn't changed and it's ranked in the top three and that's Penn State. You look at their off the field issues and the challenges that they have had to deal with and there has been one guy keeping things straight and that Joe Paterno. He has established an atmosphere of winning that says we're not only a top football program but we are heading in the right direction in so many other ways. They are heading in the right direction because Penn State was patient and confident that Joe could get it right and they weren't going to allow the pressure of others saying he was over the hill and can't relate to the kids to dissuade them. But when you're a great teacher, whether that's in the classroom with your psychology class or a football coach who has a way of expressing his pursuits through old school mediums to get messages across, you will always find a way to let young people know they can be great. I have to salute Coach Paterno and how they played the game against Wisconsin and I have to salute him for getting the most out of his kids and having them buy into something he has always pursued - being the best as a collective. Those loyalties are always challenged in our society and I've faced them myself with my kids. Dad you're not hip, you don't understand, but you keep working with them because you know that the lessons will give them a better chance to be successful. Being a fan of the game and of college football to see someone of Joe Paterno's stature leading the game when people don't think he should be in the game is inspiring to me. I'm not saying they're going to win the national championship, but it is so good to see Joe Paterno and it is so good to see the Nittany Lion white doing it right. http://allstarshelpingkids.org/events/raffle.html

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• Justwannawinna said October 18, 2008

  good post i must say lonnie even though i'm a big USC guy when my psu guys are doing there thing there is nothing better WE ARE PENN STATE lol

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• lewii5 said October 18, 2008

  RL speaks the truth!

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• Spotella said October 18, 2008

  Penn State!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• Annt74 said October 18, 2008

  inspiring to me as well Mr. Lott, great blog...

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• Spotella said October 18, 2008

  And again today, Penn State WINS even though 3 times they had to put it in the end zone twice before the officials would consider it a TD.

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• boogerking2 said October 19, 2008

  You know why PSU doesn't put the player's name on the back of his jersey? It makes it harder for the cops to tell them apart when they're coming to arrest them.

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  • Spotella replied October 19, 2008

    Hey booger, sounds a bit like jealousy to me!!!! : )
    • BIRDNDAHOOD replied October 19, 2008

      it's ok spot at least they aren't pink jerseys....LOL!
  • boogerking2 replied October 19, 2008

    Ok I'm sorry.That's not true. The REAL reason they don't display the names on the jerseys is that there isn't a single kid on the team that could actually SPELL his own name.
    • Spotella replied October 19, 2008

      OK fine you got me there. Education isn't so good, but the football is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• squish059 said October 19, 2008

  PSU showed me they have what it takes today.... next week they win and they prove to the nation that they deserve this championship

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  • Spotella replied October 19, 2008

    Amen squish, amen!!!! PSU all the way!!!!
• cpenjam said October 19, 2008

  i respect jo pa,but what i don!t understand or respect are the coaches that feel as though they have to run the scores up .psu could have put many more points on the board in every game this season ,that shouldn!t be what it!all about .how nice it would be if all the players on a team had an opportunity to get in the game and play.wouldn!t that be great'.keep on doing the right thing jo pa ,maybe some of the other!s will follow suit.cpenjam9formally from mckeesport.always be ranked no. 1 with me,go psu

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  • Spotella replied October 20, 2008

    I think they need to put all those points on the board to get the better rankings.
    Also, these players practice hard all week, what are you suppose to tell them half way through the game, "Don't play so hard"? I think that would make a losing tam!
  • cpenjam replied October 20, 2008

    as to running up scores,what goes around comes around,sure way of guarantee of a tough game the next time .i didn! infer that the 1st team shouldn!t play hard while they are on the field, it!a shame that a computer dictates who plays and who doesn!t.those players on the bench also work hard on the pratice field.
• jared360 said October 19, 2008

  I dont care what OSU did this weekend, I think this Penn State squad has that fire. Clark is coming into a zone and playing lights out, although I wouldnt mind seeing a little bit more options and designed draws, this kid is a better passer than Michael Robinson, and almost or maybe just as good a runner. I wonder where he will be considered draft wise?

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  • boogerking2 replied October 19, 2008

    He'll be right up there with Curtis Enis, I'm sure.