Raise the song.

Before I begin this post, I just wanted to clear something up. I am not approving of the action or inaction of Joe Paterno in the sexual abuse cases. I'm merely mourning the loss of someone whom I've grown to care for and admire, in a grandfatherly way. You don't have to agree with me, but this is my blog. Please be respectful of my words, my thoughts and the intense connection this family has to Penn State, Penn State Football and the way we are choosing to remember Joe Paterno. Thank you.

Dear Coach Paterno,

You were so much more than the last 4 months of your life. So. Much. More. The money you've donated to PSU is huge. Your contribution to the football team and football program is undeniably large. But your contributions as a man? The good far outweighs the bad. You, Coach, will be remembered, when all is said and done and the facts are known, for the man that you were, not the man people are painting you to be. Your grace under fire was inspiring to me.

I'm proud to call myself a Penn State fan. I'll tell my son, Trace Joseph, about the strong man he was named after. A man who apologized for what he did wrong. A man who stood for something. A man who I would be honored to have grow up to be like.

Thanks, Coach.

"You have to perform at a consistently higher level than others. That's the mark of a true professional." -Joe Paterno

"Publicity is like poison, it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it." -Joe Paterno

 

"The will to win is important, the will to prepare is vital." -Joe Paterno

"Believe deep down in your heart that you were destined to do great things." -Joe Paterno