Log In     Join Daily Email     Customer Service      

Log In

Access your American Football Monthly account.

Home Magazine Issues February 2006 Heart of a Lion: Joe Paterno

Heart of a Lion: Joe Paterno

Football is a funny business. It is a war-like game in which the biggest, strongest and toughest will often come out on top. Throw in the elements of brains and intelligence and it can either amplify the preceding characteristic or eliminate it. The teams on the sidelines – on a given autumn afternoon or evening – want to humiliate, eliminate and defeat their opposite numbers. It is the most competitive of all sports. Yet there is a fraternity among its players and coaches that often belie the traits mentioned above. Make nice conversation with your enemy in the winter and you may be welcomed with open arms. Take the Penn State coaching staff. After suffering through a fourth losing season in the previous five years, Joe Paterno, offensive coordinator Galen Hall and quarterback coach Jay Paterno wanted to infuse their stagnant offense with life. They knew they had an athletic and

Continue Reading

This article is available to American Football Quarterly subscribers.
Get instant digital access to this issue and the complete archive.

Subscribe for Full Access

200+ Issues. Every Article. Instant Access.

Subscribe to American Football Quarterly for unlimited digital access to every article, all 201 issues, and the complete online archive — available instantly, anytime, on any device.

Subscribe Today