ND Sux

August 8th, 2011 at 3:35 PM ^

for his recovery.  A lot has been said/written about JoPa..."should retire - lost touch with kids - blah, blah, blah".  I'll never lose my respect or admiration for a guy like JoPa who has done it the right way for such a long time, and with much success.  College FB is better because of guys like him.   

sULLY

August 8th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^

I totally agree with you. Record number of wins aside, Paterno never had a hint of violations associated with his program.  I believe he is a class act, and one of the few big-time NCAA coaches that does things the right way. 

I remember, although I was still very young at the time, the game in which Biakabutuka had a snowball thrown in his mask after a TD by Penn State students in the endzone seats.  Immediately after this happens, the first thing you see is JoePa sprinting down the sideline to bitch those students out. 

BiSB

August 8th, 2011 at 3:37 PM ^

Player or coach, you never want to see someone get hurt.  Get well soon, coach.

On the bright side, as long as JoePa didn't injure his figurehead, he should be able to continue his current duties.

Indiana Blue

August 8th, 2011 at 3:40 PM ^

his body is giving out before his desire to stop coaching kids.  I feel bad for Joe Pa and all PSU fans.  This is likely the start of his last year ....

Regardless of how you may feel about Joe Pa or PSU, this man is truly a living legend ... which in my mind the previous living legend was Bo! 

Go Blue!

mGrowOld

August 8th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^

My dad passed away a few years ago at the age of 87.  In his latter years I would look at him and think "here's Joe freaking Paterno" and marvel that a man of his age could still get around on his own (my dad struggled) and actually coach a team.  I don't care what anybody says - the fact that he has the will, the fire and the ability to still coach is nothing short of amazing to me and definitely worth our respect.

Best wishes Joepa - get well soon.

Don

August 8th, 2011 at 4:08 PM ^

but the mortality rates for the elderly who suffer broken hips is actually pretty high, believe it or not; depending on the source, they're generally estimated to be in the neighborhood of 15-20% within one year of the injury. This is serious business for Joe, even if the region affected doesn't affect the hip joint directly.

Considering the list of injuries he's sustained at practice or in games, it does appear that he wants to go out with his cleats on.... which is probably better than spending his last days in some nursing home.

Section 1

August 8th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^

... while Paterno is under anesthesia.  Is there a rule that covers that?  Newsome's captivity gave new meaning to "State Penn."

michfan6060

August 8th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^

Hope he gets better soon. And to people telling him to retire: he built the program so he can decide when he wants to leave.

FrankMurphy

August 8th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^

The subject makes it sound a lot worse than it actually is. It was a hairline fracture, and he walked off under his own power after the incident. It's not entirely accurate to say that he broke his hip. 

Having said that, I hope he has a speedy recovery. JoePa is the biggest icon of college football. 

Michigasling

August 8th, 2011 at 4:30 PM ^

which says nothing about a fracture, but it does say:

Paterno conducted Monday morning's coaches meeting via speaker phone from Mount Nittany Medical Center, where tests are being conducted to determine the extent of the injuries.

>

The guy never gives up.

markusr2007

August 8th, 2011 at 4:47 PM ^

Don't know the seriousness of the breakage, but I know someone who suffered such an injury. It can be very painful, at times excruciatingly so.

You're talking 8 to 12 months recovery time, at least for someone in their 40s or 50s. Probably more from someone who is elderly.

Not to be crass, but the rehab work, plus sitting and shitting during the recovery period was awfully uncomfortable.

Speedy recovery coach. Really hope this isn't of the serious variety.

 

CAwolverine

August 8th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^

The title of this post made me cringe.  It is dangerous for an 84 year old to be out there with today's football athletes.  They are big, fast and strong. 

Hope he recovers quickly and without complications. 

PS - wonder if Zettel cringed as well

Charlie Chunk

August 8th, 2011 at 9:46 PM ^

If anyone can sympathize with JoePa at this point, it's me.  I had a hip replacement done on August 1st and I'm working through recovery myself.  Poor guy...I hope it's not bad.  It would be too much for an 84 year old to handle.  Let's hope it's superficial.

That said, he really shouldn't be walking around in a situation like the practice field offers.

Go Blue!!!

Blazefire

August 8th, 2011 at 10:27 PM ^

I want to beat Penn St. every year we play them, but I also want JoePa to go out of a heart attack on the field following a big win. He deserves it.