Sept. Games Highlight Salvage Down Lives

NCAA Football Betting Lines

Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Few college coaches embody an entire university and everything that the program, school and community as a whole stands for. Like Paul "Bear" Bryant in Tuscaloosa and Knute Rockne in South Bend, Happy Valley's rich history was carved out by the larger than life persona of Joe Paterno. The Hall of Fame coach passed away last Sunday due to complications from lung cancer and although his abrupt dismissal from his post in November due to a child-sex scandal that rocked the foundations of the once teflon-coated school, we should never lose sight of one man's quest to do things the right way.

The man with the coke-bottle glasses, rolled up pant legs and classic wind- breaker, manned the sidelines in Happy Valley for nearly half a century, coaching five undefeated teams and two national championshps.

"His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled," his family said in a statement.

"He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."

Paterno's loyalty, although one of his greatest assets, was also a huge reason for his downfall.

Regret is something Paterno admitted in a Washington Post interview published a few days before his death.

"In hindsight," Paterno told the Post reporter, "I wish I had done more."

"So I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did," Paterno said. "It didn't work out that way."

Certainly in looking back at the events that unfolded, it was naive on his part to "pass the buck" and hope for the best. However, naivety does in no way make him complicit in Sandusky's alleged crimes.

comments

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•    My TL = Joe Paterno last week at this time

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•    #nw - One Stop Football

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•    Heated #Tri9 battle going on here at Middle Creek. Catamounts lead 31 - 27 with 3 minutes left in 3Q. Www.sportsblock.net

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•    his degree of theology at the University of Leiden

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•    Damn. I love this university.

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•    When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality. - Joe Paterno

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