Eats & Beats

(Reposted from yesterday due to formatting issues)

It’s still hard to grasp that a living legend four days ago is now just a legend. Over the past few days, there have been countless stories, photos and videos about Joe Paterno that speak to his true character and the legacy he leaves behind.  In a world that’s filled with judgment as quick as it takes to post a tweet, I’m hoping that the public can now clearly see what a great person he was and how many lives he affected off of the football field, since that’s really where he became legendary. As he was laid to rest today, this is my last Joe Pa post.

I am not a Penn State alum.  Neither is my dad, my mom or my brother.  But we’re a Penn State family that has grown-up with Joe Pa (similar to the Phillies and Harry Kalas).  I have a ton of great memories like my Dad watching the VHS tape of the ’87 Fiesta Bowl where PSU beat Miami (that he still probably still has) and the first time I was at Beaver Stadium to witness Joe Pa running out on the field with the players.

But my favorite memory is when I wrote Joe Pa a letter in 4^th grade telling him how much I loved him and Penn State.  A week later, I got a note from him thanking me for my letter along with this signed picture that I immediately hung in my room.  In 6th grade, I wrote to Joe Pa again, telling him that my teacher was also a huge fan and I wanted to give him signed picture for Christmas.  A couple weeks later, a Penn State envelope arrived at my house with another signed picture for me and one for “Mr. Gori.”  Even though I was always skeptical that he signed it himself, it continued to hang in my college dorm and it’s now at my desk.  But after reading story after story on how humble and appreciative he was to everyone’s support, even in these recent months, I have no doubt in my mind that this down-to-earth, yet legendary man really signed my picture (and Mr. Gori’s).

I might not bleed blue and white like some people, but I know what it feels like to be apart of Penn State pride, respect, dedication and sense of family that which was built by one man across five decades and three generations.

Rest in peace Joe Pa. Your legend will never be forgotten.