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Penn State Legend LaVar Arrington To Be Honored During Ohio State Game

Former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington will be honored with an on-campus salute at Beaver Stadium during this weekend’s game against Ohio State ahead of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced Tuesday.

Arrington will join 19 other Nittany Lions and five former coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Arrington played for the Nittany Lions under Joe Paterno from 1997 to 1999. He earned the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award in 1999, awards given to the nation’s top linebacker and defensive player, respectively.

Arrington also earned two first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors and was a finalist for the Nagurski and Lombardi awards. He was the first sophomore to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1998.

The legendary linebacker led Penn State to three bowl games and totaled 173 tackles, 39 for loss, 19 sacks, and three interceptions during his time in Happy Valley. His accolades and infamous “LaVar Leap” helped build Penn State’s reputation as “Linebacker U.”

Arrington declared for the NFL Draft his junior year and was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders. After playing six seasons in D.C., which included three Pro Bowl selections, Arrington signed a seven-year contract with the New York Giants. Injuries led to his early release and the end of his NFL career.

Arrington currently works as a sports broadcaster and analyst.

Arrington will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame alongside the rest of the Class of 2022 on Tuesday, December 6, in Las Vegas.

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About the Author

Ashley Connington

Ashley is a rising senior studying journalism from New Jersey and Onward State's current managing editor. Her life basically revolves around Chelsea and Premier League Football. You can email [email protected] to send her ways to meet Saquon or watch her obsess over Chelsea FC and TJ Malone on twitter @ashconnington.

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