Paterno's Aging For All To See

By Jared Trexler
The Phanatic Magazine


It's sad. But it happens.

Life turns even the most vigorously young of mind into weathered representations of more youthful selves.  The salt and pepper locks bred from a pure Italian heritage, the strong jaunt that paved Beaver Stadium's home sidelines for nearly a half century are no more.

The hair is now prominently gray.  A metal cane is now needed at times to handle steps or long distances.  The speech once pronounced with a think dialect equal parts Bologna and Brooklyn is now slurred, slow, barely audible more times than not.

We had always hoped that when age finally broke down the barrier of Penn State head coach Joe Paterno's pride and purpose he or someone very close to him would realize it.  We would never have to witness a frail facsimile of a coaching giant spend the first 10 minutes of his media conference during Monday's session at Big Ten Media Days talking about his ability to control his bladder.

Yet, that is what we were subject to, as Paterno tried his damnedest to make light of an embarrassing medical issue instead of discussing his new quarterback, a mix-match defensive backfield or the ability to replace Navarro Bowman.

He rarely goes on recruiting trips, barely works from his posh office--mainly working from home out of necessity and convenience--and has far less control of the program's day-to-day operations than even just five years ago.

Rumblings from Chicago's Big Ten showcase connected the dots to discussions of a succession plan--which Paterno brushed off--the head coach's ability to walk the sidelines this season, and his handle on the program as a whole.

It took nearly half of the media session to begin discussions of his football team.  You know, one of college football's all-time winningest programs, the lifeblood of Pennsylvania sports, and a moderately successful resemblance of its former self in the last seven years.

Yet, the media's priorities were well founded. Especially when the head coach is beginning to look like the 83-year-old man he is.  We all hope our icons never grow old, but when they do, we as fans hope for a quick, yet celebratory exit.

It is surely approaching on too late for that. And that fact was on full display with each word, each painful step Monday.

In typical Paterno fashion, he referenced Mark Twain, mocking that rumors of his death had been greatly exaggerated.  I wanted to believe him.  But my eyes, despite their best efforts, could not ignore the stark aging of a iconic giant. 

It happens.  But it's sad.