The ABCs of Joe Paterno

A is for All-Americans. 47 Academic.

B is for Brooklyn, where Coach Paterno grew up, for Brown University, where he studied and played quarterback from 1946-1949, and for Beaver Stadium, where he roamed the sideline every home football Saturday.

C is for Coach of the Year, which Paterno won numerous times from numerous different organizations.

D is for Delta Kappa Epsilon, Joe’s fraternity at Brown.

E is for Rip Engle, the man who brought Joe Paterno to Penn State in 1950.

F is for Fiesta Bowl, where Paterno won his second championship over Miami on January 2nd, 1987.

G is for Graduation rate, where Joe’s football teams always excelled.

H is for the College Football Hall of Fame, where Coach Paterno was inducted in 2007.

I is for Illinois, the team against which Paterno coached his final game and earned his final win, and for interceptions — the record Paterno still holds at Brown from his playing days.

J is for John Cappelletti, the only Heisman Trophy winner to play under Joe Paterno.

K is for Kerry, Ki-Jana, Kyle, and the 1994 offense that may have been the greatest in college football history.

L is for the Paterno Library, which Joe and Sue Paterno donated over $4 million towards.

M is for McKee Street, which Paterno called home.

N is for the New England Patriots, the team that nearly (OK, maybe not nearly) pried Joe away from Penn State in the 1970s.

O is for Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, Paterno’s favorite drink.

P is for Peachy Paterno ice cream at the Berkey Creamery.

Q is for the Quotes we’ll always remember.

R is for the Records Paterno set, such as the most bowl wins, with 24.

S is for Joe’s wife Sue, the First Lady of Penn State football.

T is for Harry Truman, who was President when Joe Paterno came to Penn State in 1950.

U is for Coach Paterno’s five Undefeated seasons, which occurred in 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986, and 1994.

V is for the Values that define the “Paterno Way,” and “success with honor.”

W is for being the Winningest coach in college football with a total of 409 wins.

X is for the six eXpansions of Beaver Stadium during his tenure at Penn State.

Y is for 61 Years of coaching.

Z is for the Zordich family, and every other family that Joe coached multiple generations of.

Kevin Horne, Shawn Inglima, Evan Kalikow, Greg Pickel, and John Tecce contributed to this post.