Remembering a Legend

It may not mean a lot to you, the fact that a legend died today. In fact, you may not care at all that today the world is without a great man. The world is without Joe Paterno. You might not even think he's a great man. I didn't know Joe Paterno. I don't personally know anyone who played football for him. I'm not a Penn State Alumni. But I am a Penn State football fan. I am a Joe Paterno fan.

Penn State football has always been a part of my growing up. One of my earliest memories is of my dad and his friend pounding on the wall that separated our double house to celebrate after a big play. I had no idea what the hype was all about then...but I sure do now.

It wasn't long until my Pappy Landis was packing up my cousin Julie and I and taking us over the mountain from Lewistown to Beaver Stadium. I don't remember how old I was when we made those first trips. But I do remember tailgating out of the back of a Subaru - plenty of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Hartleys chips to keep us well fed. Our trips to Happy Valley have continued through the years. At least once a year we enjoy a game with Pap, my dad, Shane and usually some special friends, too. Our tailgates have become quite a bit more elaborate, but the fact remains that the time spent together is our reason for going.

And so, the tradition that I grew up on continued with our own children. I have plenty a picture like this one of Kinley and I. All my babies were at one point or another clad in blue and white.

And, in our house, if you can walk by yourself, you can go to a Penn State game. And make sure you

continue to dress the part and show your Nittany Lion pride.

The truth is, that so many memories are tied up in Joe and Penn State football. When I met Earl he was wearing a crisp crimson, grey and white Ohio State hat. But after one trip to see the Lions play Michigan, he was hooked. And so I got to keep him! There have been countless games in the rain, one in the snow and so many others where the sun shone so brightly. There have been lots of Dor Day hoagies, a few "specially made" whoopie pies and lots of beer, too. But most importantly, more than a few laughs and enough good stories to last a lifetime. I've heard a lot lately, that Penn State football is not about Joe Paterno, it's not about the black shoes or the white socks or the number of wins. And it's true. It's not about any of those things. It's about family. It's about being together. About sharing something together. About having fun. It's learning about winning and losing and playing fair. It's about standing for something. My kids probably won't remember the trips to State College to see JoePa. But that's okay. Someday we will tell them. We will tell them about football, about tradition, about family, and about a great man who was the definition of all of those things. We will miss you, Joe. Thanks for all the memories. You meant a lot to us.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph V. Paterno