Joe Paterno worked diligently to craft an image for his Penn State Nittany Lions squads. Modeled on his beloved pre-war New York Yankees, Joe’s teams always presented a uniform look, treated referees with deference, and largely abstained from any and all acts of individualism. The subjugation of self in service to a greater, team-based good was drilled with military consistency. Consequently, year after year, to us fans as well as a far less cynical media, these were the good guys. Everyone knew that making spectacular plays or crushing hits was but a side note to a PSU football player’s principle mission of helping old ladies cross a busy street.
Games That Sparked A Special Season: 1986 at Alabama
