A FEW SAD DAYS

Joe Paterno died on Sunday.

I never met the man.  My brother Paul played football at Penn State in the 1970's under Joe.  He had the utmost respect for JoePa, considering him as much more than just a coach.  He was a friend, a leader, a mentor.  He taught the boys how to be men.  He taught them to win with honor and lose with graciousness.  Lessons that were carried off the field and throughout life.

My daughter, Donna, went to Penn State.  Obviously, she didn't play football, but she loved JoePa.  She said everyone there loved him.  He was more than football.  He gave millions of dollars of his own money to help fund a new library.  He worked with the College of Liberal Arts to make sure that the classics were being taught.  There is a Paterno Fellowship program now in that College.  Penn State was his life.

He was a loving husband, father of 5 and grandfather of 17.  He was also a father to thousands of Penn State students and athletes.  His father had told him, as a young man, to make an impact in his life.  He did that.  He touched so many lives on and off the playing field.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, thousands and thousands of people stood for hours in the cold for a chance to say a last goodbye to JoePa.  They came from all around the country because they felt they had to give back the respect Joe had given them.

Yesterday, there was a tribute where former players and others stood and spoke about the impact Joe had on their lives.  They all told how he had cared for them, not just as players but as people.  They spoke about how he molded them into better men.  The love they all had for Joe was evident.

Joe Paterno fulfilled his father's wishes.  He made an impact in so many lives.  To say he will be missed is an understatement.  Penn State will live on, but it won't be the same without Joe.