My appreciation of Joe Paterno was always a bit second-hand, extensions or reflections of the more primary connections of friends and family members who attended the school. That said, I did develop a growing sense of appreciation for Penn State in general over the years, and certainly their successful football program made it easy to root for them.
I'm very sad how it all ended for Joe, and without minimizing for a moment the horror that unfolded on his watch, I find something rather epic in the triumphs and tragedies of his life. I just learned, for instance, that the win last fall on October 29, the one which made him the most successful Division I coach ever, was also the last game he coached before he was fired. It's almost Shakespearean.
I have no knowledge of Joe's faith -- or lack of it -- but I know many join me in hoping that at some point in his life, he embraced Christ as his Savior. That would bring great solace on a sad day for those who loved Joe Pa.
