The Top Blue-White Game Moments Of Recent Memory
The Blue-White Game is one of Penn State’s richest traditions, but it obviously didn’t take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, even as the country recovers from the pandemic, it’s more of the same. Penn State isn’t calling it a Blue-White Game, though. The school invited only freshmen to watch the team’s final spring practice live from the stands. But the parking lots will be empty, tailgate fields will be barren, and most Penn State fans won’t get to soak in the atmosphere.
In other words, this year isn’t going to be the same. But instead of dwelling on the negatives, let’s relive and reminisce on some of the best Blue-White moments in recent memory.
Dan Chisena’s One Shining Moment
In 2019, Dan Chisena reeled in the reception of a lifetime.
A track star turned walk-on football player hailing from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Chisena was a part of perhaps the biggest Blue-White moment in recent memory.
Chisena only appeared in two games in 2018 and didn’t register a single catch. At the time, he was relatively unknown to Penn State fans.
However, in 2019’s Blue-White Game, all of that would change. Chisena hauled in a 59-yard strike from quarterback Will Levis and took it to the end zone for a touchdown.
As he was being mobbed by his teammates, James Franklin hopped on the loudspeaker and gave Chisena another reason to celebrate. Franklin announced that he had earned a full-ride scholarship ahead of what would be his final season on the roster.
Chisena displayed his blazing speed on multiple occasions during the 2019 season but registered only 66 yards on three receptions. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and saw time on their special teams unit this past season.
Brooke Fisher Finds Paydirt
Looking back, the 2018 Blue-White Game was full of special, unforgettable moments.
Brooke Fisher, a young woman with Down syndrome and a familiar face in the Penn State community, kicked things off in the first quarter by taking an outside handoff 25 yards to the house.
She topped things off with a powerful spike in the end zone and was embraced by the Nittany Lion and players from both the blue and white teams immediately after. It was an especially heartwarming moment for the fans at Beaver Stadium to share that afternoon.
Since her claim to fame, Fisher has sung the national anthem in front of thousands of fans at the Bryce Jordan Center before Penn State basketball games. She was also one of the illustrators of former superstar Lamar Stevens’ children’s book, “Lamar’s Climb.”
Fisher has continued to be a light in the community and for the basketball program. Her performance of the national anthem was played on the jumbotron prior to every home game this past season.
James Franklin Or Keegan-Michael Key?
Following the first half of Blue-White action in 2018, another memorable and smile-inducing moment came as Nittany Lions left the tunnel coming out of the halftime locker room.
Penn State graduate and comedian Keegan-Michael Key had fans doing a double-take as he ran out of the tunnel looking like an exact carbon copy of head coach James Franklin.
Although Key’s stride is noticeably longer and more effortless than Franklin’s, between the shiny bald head and identical attire, Key was the ultimate doppelgänger.
He provided fans answers to a series of interview questions concerning game strategy and play-calling asked by former Penn State and NFL lineman, Anthony “Spice” Adams, before being confronted by Franklin himself near midfield. After Franklin made Key return his glasses, the two shared a bro-hug and a laugh to cap off the hilarious string of events.
At one point, Key even stood in for a nice Franklin family photo.
Later, Key shared the podium with Franklin for the postgame presser to top off what was an afternoon full of comedic exchanges.
Anthony ‘Spice’ Adams Shows Off Skill Set
Anthony “Spice” Adams, who’s perhaps most famous for his signature laugh that’s become a meme, had his own moment in the spotlight in 2017’s Blue-White Game.
In the first quarter, Adams stepped up to try and knock through a PAT attempt but shanked it wide-right.
It wasn’t even close. Adams was a defensive lineman throughout his playing days as a Nittany Lion and went on to play professionally for the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. We think it’s safe to say that he’s much better suited there.
Kick/punt returner, though? Adams made an additional appearance in 2018, returning a punt the length of the field and flashing his wheels and hard-nosed running style.
Everyone running to Cafe when it's finally warm outside
— Onward State (@OnwardState) April 21, 2018pic.twitter.com/UTpT67zuUi
Adams may have had some abilities that weren’t uncovered during his time as a Nittany Lion. Based on that display, he certainly seems like he wouldn’t be easy to bring down running full-speed ahead.
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