Paterno concedes Aggie kid may have a point
Penn State coach Joe Paterno's age has been an issue for --- well, forever it seems.
Paterno just turned 81 and for a while now, the whispers have been hardly whispers that perhaps he should retire, that the game had passed him by, that he was holding back the Nittany Lions because he wasn't on top of his game. Penn State had four losing seasons in five years from 2000 through 2004, but the the whispers were quieted in '05 when the Nittany Lions went 11-1. The last two years, Penn State has been 17-8 and plays Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl tomorrow.
All of which brings us to an Aggie yell leader (sort of a cheerleader) during a pep rally yesterday shouting that Paterno needed a "casket" and that he was on his "death bed." The attempt at humor was ill-received and the fellow was sent home post-haste.
Paterno, meanwhile, took it with good humor.
"I think everybody has to take things with a grain of salt," the Penn State coach said. "Some young guy went up there, trying to be funny. Maybe he's accurate, I don't know."
Photo credit: Morry Gash/AP
Comments
Modern Texas Aggies have Diarrhea of the Mouth. Many of my Cousins have been and are Aggies and they would not sign on to this little creep's remarks nor call a UT QB that had just been illegally hit "Cart McKoy" as he was taken off the field.
Maybe the Aggies, like most college programs, need a Coach Joe Pa figure as Penn State has been lucky enough to have and are jealous.
Notice how well Joe Pa took the incident. Also notice how the Aggie leadership try to paper over it. " The poor kid..." We Longhorn fans are used to this.
Posted by: Fred | December 28, 2007 3:31 PM
Joe Paterno, at any age, is a class act. If I had a son looking for a college football team, I'd be proud to have his development into a young man contributed to by Papa Jo. When he turned down an offer to coach the Pats years ago because he wanted to mold young men, he really showed his metal. He exhibits class: like taking a distasteful comment in stride. FSU and many others could learn a few things about character and character development from Papa Joe!!! I hope he's coaching when Willard Scott puts his picture on a Smucker's jar!
Posted by: B W Cobb | December 28, 2007 4:36 PM
I am an Aggie, Class of 1991. I am totally embarassed by the comment this mouth breathing Aggie made. It is a poor reflection on the entire state of Texas. Some Aggies get so fired up by the 'chanting' and the yell practices that they are almost in a state of frenzy when it is over. I witnessed this over 4 years. I would like to apologize on behalf of all aggies for the comments made about Paterno, an American Icon. It is obvious the young small town redneck got so caught up on the frenzy he lost his sorts. I would like to think that as opposed to him just being ignorant. Probably a combination of both.
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Scott,
Thanks for writing. I would certainly hope no one considers this a reflection on the university. I think Paterno's take was right on, just some young fellow with apoor sense of what's humorous.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Scott Moore | December 28, 2007 11:23 PM
To: B. W. Cobb
You're comments are well received, but I think, maybe, you meant "mettle."
Posted by: J. R. Voigtsberger | December 29, 2007 9:21 AM
What ever happened to freedom of speech? No one got hurt so what's the big deal? Props to Pat. for understanding it as a harmless joke. Thank goodness some one can still take one.
Posted by: Aaron | December 29, 2007 8:00 PM
I used to live down the street from JoePa. It's too bad everyone including the bozo from Texas A&M don't get an opportunity to meet him on the street and learn what a classy guy he really is. This world-class coach with the busiest of schedules took the time to bend down and chat with my then 1-yr-old son sitting in his stroller. I for one was more proud to call him "neighbor" than "coach" any day of the week.
Posted by: We Are... | January 3, 2008 1:38 AM