If you are going to have a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and Joe Paterno is not in it, then there is no reason to have a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. It’s as simple as that.
On Tuesday it was announced former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno will be among the inductees in this year’s Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame class. The late Paterno will be joined by a pair of his former players, quarterback Chuck Fusina and kicker Matt Bahr. Others being inducted included legendary Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Bernie Parent, basketball coach PJ Carlesimo, swimmer Kristy Kowal, Super Bowl-winning linebacker Neal Olkewicz, former Pitt football coach Foge Fazio, college and NFL football player Bill Koman, college and NFL football player Eric Crabtree, golfer Chip Lutz and wrestler Gray Simons.
The news of Paterno being inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has, predictably, been a topic of heated debate for some. I get it. The end of Paterno’s career went off the script we all probably thought it would follow due to his connection to Jerry Sandusky, to whatever degree you believe he was ultimately connected to Sandusky or Penn State’s handling of Sandusky. I have my opinions and you have yours. There will be no convincing of opinions for either side of the Paterno legacy question for years to come for many, but there is simply no way Paterno can not be a part of a hall of fame dedicated to sports legends in this state.
If you were to mold a Mount Rushmore of Pennsylvania sports, Paterno would most certainly be among the four sculpted into the Appalachian Mountains. Maybe you put Mario Lemieux, Chuck Noll and Mike Schmidt or Richie Ashburn up there with them (fun topic, another time perhaps). As things stand today, Paterno’s 409 victories is the most all-time in major college football. His impact on Penn State and Penn State football does not go without notice. And neither should his alleged or potential shortcomings. As time goes by, a broad view of Paterno’s legacy will continue to settle into acceptance, for better and worse. A hall of fame is about more than simply honoring the greatness a sport has to offer. It offers a chance to preserve history as well.
If you really want to get hot and bothered over Paterno being in the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, have at it. Before you do though, ask yourself this. Have you ever visited the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame? Do you even know where it is located? Did you even know there was a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame? Odds are probably pretty good most of you reading this may have said no to at least one of those questions.
Carry on.
Follow Nittany Lions Den on Twitter and Like Nittany Lions Den on Facebook.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
