Joe Paterno

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Despite the fact that I'm a lifelong Ohio State fan, I've always had the highest regard and respect for Mr. Joseph Vincent Paterno, a devout Roman Catholic, a World War II veteran, a faithful husband and father, and a successful football coach who always pursued the good of those put in his charge. For me and for most other sports fans of my generation the name, Joe Paterno, means respectability and nobility in sports, character, grit and honor.

He was also a thoughtful conservative and a caring person. His character and leadership is unquestioned among those who played for him, but his views and the manner in which he carried himself and coached was formed by the realities of nature as explicated by sport. It is amazing how all the ideological dogmas that are shoved down our throat by the liberal media, politicians and university professors disappear on the athletic field. In athletics there is no such thing as absolute egalitarianism; rather, unequal talents and abilities raise some to leadership and drive others to greater effort, just as nature intended. There is no strength in diversity; rather, strength comes from becoming a team, by putting the goals of the team and school before self-interest. No player is entitled to a place on the team or a win; rather, everything must be won by hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Joe Paterno understood this, understood its implications on and off the football field, and articulated it with intelligence and wit like few others have been capable.

Thankfully, for those of us who admired him from afar, Joe Paterno conveyed these principles to the wider world. I suppose most will look at his winning career and reduce his achievements to what he did on the field of play. These achievements, certainly, are laudable, but winning coaches come and go. For many of us, the greater share of Joe Paterno's legacy will be for what he stood for beyond the field of play, and for this I am thankful.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei Dómine;
et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen.