What They Are Saying About Paterno

A look at reaction from around the nation on the passing of Joe Paterno.

David Jones, Harrisburg Patriot-News: Joe Paterno and how I knew him.

Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News: Paterno was the last of his kind, and we all are a bit poorer for his absence.

Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The ending wasn't so neat and tidy. Many people will remember the way he was fired more than the good he did for the university. But his impact on those who played for him is undisputed.

Jeff Rice, Centre Daily Times: Former players have nothing but good memories of Paterno.

John Luciew, Harrisburg Patriot-News: Paterno leaves a complicated legacy — Ivy League philosopher, library benefactor, famed coach, control freak, living legend and flawed human being.

Bill Kline, Allentown Morning Call: Critics will point to the Sandusky scandal, but nobody did more good for Penn State than Paterno.

Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Paterno is gone, and with him so is Penn State's heart.

Frank Fitzpatrick, Philadelphia Inquirer: His life was defined by success. His end was defined by scandal.

Shelly Stallsmith, Harrisburg Patriot-News: If you're not the biggest Paterno fan, give those who are time to grieve.

Bill Lyon, Philadelphia Inquirer: In Paterno's rise were planted the seeds of his fall.

Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports: Paterno's lasting legacy will be the wisdom he passed to the young men he coached.

Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports: Paterno was stubborn and tried to dictate terms of his departure, but he gave everything for the university and was loyal to the end.

Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: We must remember Paterno the man, not the mess.

Jim Litke, Associated Press: Paterno's legacy will be forever clouded, in part because he never fully had the chance to prove his remorse after his public life was taken by Penn State trustees.

Jack McCallum, SI.com: Paterno's final chapter should begin with the tawdry story of Jerry Sandusky, but put aside those last few months and remember the coach's body of work.

Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports: The lasting memory of Paterno will be in the eye of the beholder.

Ivan Maisel, ESPN: The 409 victories don't begin to tell the story. Paterno shaped the lives of the young men he left behind and helped put Penn State on the map.

Pat Forde, Yahoo! Sports: Penn State faces a bitter conundrum. If it does too much to honor Paterno, it will be criticized for lionizing a coach who may have enabled an alleged pedophile. If it does too little, it will be criticized by a fan base that worshiped the man.

Penn State Clips: A look at front pages of Pennsylvania newspapers.

Thanks to Image of Sport.

Comments

[Randy]

Paterno's legacy was damaged by the sex scandal. How could a man know of the sex problems that an assistant coach had with young boys, and still let that man on campus. How does anyone not see that the assistant coach was still bringing young boys to the Penn St area