Amidst all the bickering last night, something really incredible happened.

When news finally broke about Bill O’Brien’s departure for the NFL, Twitter was predictably riddled with what are known as “hot takes” — knee-jerk opinions, irresponsibly rendered in the heat of the moment. I can’t say I didn’t have a few myself. In any case, a large chunk of the fan base was set on — in some cases, justifiably — slamming O’Brien for his decision to leave with three years left on his contract.

But one section of the Penn State community remained in lock-step solidarity. Although the news appeared to take them by surprise, nearly all of Bill O’Brien’s current and former players who were compelled to speak publicly had nothing but admiration and glowing words for their outgoing coach. Truthfully, it made me feel small.

Here’s what Penn State players had to say about their soon-to-be former coach (class year listed as 2013 eligibility):

Freshman TE Adam Breneman

Best of luck to Coach O’Brien. We will continue to move forward and fight through challenges as we have before.

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) January 1, 2014

Senior DT DaQuan Jones

Penn State will aways be Penn State ..nothing can change that …wish coach OB the best he’s one hell of a coach

— DaQuan Jones (@RiDQulous_91) January 1, 2014

 

Senior Center Ty Howle

Good luck to Coach O’Brien and his family. Made a tremendous impact on my life and many others during his time at Penn State.

— Ty Howle (@THowle60) January 1, 2014

Senior Safety Stephen Obeng-Agyapong

Congrats to Coach OB. My boys are strong, I ain’t worried.

— Stephen Obeng-Agy… (@BigBENGTheory7) January 1, 2014

 

Senior Guard John Urschel

Congratulations to Coach Bill O’Brien. Couldn’t be happier for him and his family.

— John Urschel (@mathmeetsfball) January 1, 2014

Senior Tackle Adam Gress

Everybody has their own dreams. Who are you to judge?

— Adam Gress (@PennStSasquatch) January 1, 2014

 

Junior Safety Adrian Amos

Life opens new doors and opportunities each day. .its all in Gods plan

— Adrian Amos (@PSU_Amos_4) January 1, 2014

 

2014 lets go to work man

— Adrian Amos (@PSU_Amos_4) January 1, 2014

 

Lol smh

— Adrian Amos (@PSU_Amos_4) January 1, 2014

Junior RB Bill Belton

I’m happy for Coach OB. Truly help me personally and this university over the last two years. Just want to say thank you!

— Bill Belton (@W3BII) January 1, 2014

 

Still turning up for NYE…deal with the other stuff tomorrow

— Bill Belton (@W3BII) January 1, 2014

Junior DE Brad Bars

We WILL be fine! #weare

— Brad Bars (@StarsBARS_31) January 1, 2014

 

Freshman RB Chip Chiappialle

Wooooow

— Cole Chiappialle (@real_Chip34) January 1, 2014

 

Can’t worry about stuff you can’t control!

— Cole Chiappialle (@real_Chip34) January 1, 2014

 

Former KS Joe Marvin

You’re only as strong as your word

— Joe Marvin (@RatchetBoyMarv) January 1, 2014

Former QB Daryll Clark

Woooooowwwwwww

— Daryll Clark (@CaptainClark17) January 1, 2014

 

Nah man that’s crazy it’s official

— Daryll Clark (@CaptainClark17) January 1, 2014

Former WR Graham Zug

Loyalty. Trust. Respect. Dedication.

— Graham Zug (@G_Zug_5) January 1, 2014

 

Weak.

— Graham Zug (@G_Zug_5) January 1, 2014

Sophomore TE Kyle Carter

It’s all a business. Don’t forget that.

— Kyle Carter (@KCarter_87) January 1, 2014

 

Sophomore RB Akeel Lynch

We still are.

— Akeel J. Lynch (@ALynch_22) January 1, 2014

Former LB Kyle Lucas

So James Franklin time? #PSUFootball #HappyNewYear

— Kyle Lucas (@KLucas26) January 1, 2014

 

Best of luck to coach O’Brien and the @HoustonTexans.

— Kyle Lucas (@KLucas26) January 1, 2014

Junior G Miles Dieffenbach

I’ll love Coach Obrien forever. He will always be apart of Penn State. One of the greatest men I’ve ever known. #PennStateForever

— Miles Dieffenbach (@Curiousjorge65) January 1, 2014

 

Freshman LB Brandon Bell

Sheesh

— B.Bell (@Thee1NonlyBBELL) January 1, 2014

Former Center Matt Stankiewicz

Penn State will miss you Coach, you gave us 2 unbelievable years, thank you….#pennstateproud

— Matt Stankiewitch (@mattstank54) January 1, 2014

 

Junior LB Mike Hull

Coach O’brien is a great coach and great person! Proud to have called him my coach. It was his dream to coach in the NFL, best of luck. #PSU

— Mike Hull (@m_hull4943) January 1, 2014

Freshman RB Brian Tomasetti

Stayin focused

— Brian Tomasetti (@OFBubbaT21) January 1, 2014

 

Sophomore CB Jesse Merise

O’Brien was an awesome coach, & I can’t hate him for taking advantage of an opportunity because that’s what life is about… Grind time!

— Jesse Merise (@JMer1s3) January 1, 2014

 

I have complete faith that the 2014 will come out and give it our all! #PSUFootball

— Jesse Merise (@JMer1s3) January 1, 2014

 

Former T Quinn Barham

So what about what BOB told those recruits?

— Quinn Barham (@QuinnBarham) January 1, 2014

 

Best of luck to Bill O Brien and his family. He had a huge part in the healing process for Penn State in these recent years.

— Quinn Barham (@QuinnBarham) January 1, 2014

 

Senior Safety Malcolm Willis

But damn tho

— Malcolm Willis (@M_Willis_Ichi) January 1, 2014

 

My alma mater is my alma mater, I will forever love that place! Good luck to everyone in the New Year!

— Malcolm Willis (@M_Willis_Ichi) January 1, 2014

 

Penn State always prevails in the end! Be strong, stay together!!

— Malcolm Willis (@M_Willis_Ichi) January 1, 2014

Sophomore LB TJ Rhattigan

#WEARE..the recruiting class thats getting our 3rd head coach

— TJ Rhattigan (@T_Rhatti) January 1, 2014

 

Junior WR Allen Robinson (gulp)

Welp, it’s been real

— Allen Robinson (@Djjango8) January 1, 2014

Sophomore WR Matt Zanellato

Its weird that I am one of the few penn state football players that will have 4 head coaches #mindblown #ohwell it’s the business #NFL

— Matt Zanellato (@mzanellato) January 1, 2014

 

Sophomore LB Nyeem Wartman

I only control me #

— Nyeem (@NyeemWartman) January 1, 2014

Former CB Jesse Alfreno

I only control me #

— Nyeem (@NyeemWartman) January 1, 2014

 

Sophomore DE Deion Barnes

One thing OB taught me is that this is a business, and u should do what’s best for you.Texans are getting a good coach, I wish him the best

— Deion Barnes (@DBarnes_18) January 1, 2014

 

It’s crazy that I’ve been wit PSU for 3 years now and I’m going to have 3 different coaches.. We been through it all and we gonna keep it up

— Deion Barnes (@DBarnes_18) January 1, 2014

 

Freshman DT Austin Johnson

Smh

— Austin Johnson (@AJohn15) January 1, 2014

 

Hard but can’t worry about things you can’t control son

— Austin Johnson (@AJohn15) January 1, 2014

 

Gotta keep on movin forward people that’s all we can do #yafeelme

— Austin Johnson (@AJohn15) January 1, 2014

 

Wish the best I luck to OB hope he kills it in the league with the Texans

— Austin Johnson (@AJohn15) January 1, 2014

 

Freshman DE Curtis Cothran

Control the things u can control, dnt wrry bout nothin else #EyesOnThePrize

— Curtis Cothran (@curtis_cothran) January 1, 2014

 

Congrats to o’brien! Keep chasin your dreams! N yu know… #WeAre

— Curtis Cothran (@curtis_cothran) January 1, 2014

 

Former DL Joe Hines

No loyalty. Its all about the mighty dollar. There will only be one JoePa. Unfortunately in the end his loyalty didn’t matter to the BOT.

— joseph hines (@hinespsu84) January 1, 2014

Former LB Michael Yancich

I and PSU will miss Coach O’Brien. What an awesome guy. Respect other’s dreams. No one ever held you back from living yours..

— Michael Yancich (@Ymike33) January 1, 2014

 

Junior G Bryan Davie

Still the best coach I’ve ever had. Best of luck to Coach OB.

— Bryan Davie (@ElHombreBDD) January 1, 2014

Freshman DT Derek Dowrey

To all of the Penn State family: Penn State is and will always be about more than any one man. WE ARE everything we have always been

— Derek Dowrey (@doubleDowrey) January 1, 2014

 

Good luck coach O’Brien

— Derek Dowrey (@doubleDowrey) January 1, 2014

Former WR Ryan Scherer

That’s what our board gets. No matter how good OB did for us. If u get a guy with no PSU ties you can’t expect any penn state loyalty

— Ryan Scherer (@RyGuyScherer) January 1, 2014

 

Sophomore TE Jesse James

I hope I have another chance to play under Coach O’B. I love the guy, I appreciate everything he’s done for me. I couldn’t be more thankful.

— Jesse James (@JJames18_) January 1, 2014

Freshman DT Brian Gaia

Coach O’Brien was a great mentor, coach and father figure but every coach has the aspirations to coach in the NFL. glad coach can chase his.

— Brian Gaia (@that_gaia) January 1, 2014

 

Freshman WR Gregg Garrity

Love this university. Love this team. #WeAre #Family

— Pook Garrity (@pook82garrity) January 1, 2014