What's older than JoePa?

FanIQ unsurfaced a video from CSTV (now under the CBS umbrella) asking PSU fans to name which was older, Joe Paterno or certain historical inventions.

• The mechanical cotton picker (1927)
• PEZ candy (1927)
• Bubble gum (1928)
• Antibiotics (1928)
• Scotch tape (1930)
• Frozen food (1930)
• The first canned beer (1935)
• Ballpoint pen (1938)

And, get this, JoePa is older than sliced bread, which was invented in 1928.

Video:

JoePa before he was "JoePa"

Davis over at Onward State found some archived stories about JoePa from the 1950s and 1960s. Something tells me your PSU profs would be pleased with your research skills, Davis. Some great quotes and perspectives from before Coach Paterno was the legend he is today.

Happy Birthday JoePa messages still coming in

Image 528804: Matthew Stockman/Courtesy of Getty Images Sports

Quite simply, Joe Paterno is the reason why I root for Penn State Football.

In 2003, I saw a documentary on ESPN Classic about Joe Paterno and his love for his players. He broke down and cried in the interview. It really got me. I said: "If that's the sort of coach that Penn State have, then I'm rooting for Penn State." I really haven't looked back since - even though 2003 and 2004 were less than fun (I can name the 6-2 home defeat to Iowa as just one of the less-than-memorable losses".

But since then, he's turned around what had been a flagging program. 2005 - with the decision to play outstanding freshmen Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams- was a banner year for Penn State, with the roars ringing round Happy Valley in celebration of a Big Ten title. Then, the cheers were louder in Florida a month or two later after an emotionally exhausting Orange Bowl victory. The 2006/7 season brought forth another winning season and another January bowl victory. 2007 wasn't wonderful - but PSU still won a Bowl game, and 2008 once again saw the phoenix rise from the flames, the Nittany Lions celebrating with a journey to the Rose Bowl and their second Big Ten title in four seasons.

In those four years, Joe Paterno's cemented his iconic status. What other 80-year old injures his hip demonstrating an onside kick, or becomes the hero of Happy Valley for telling a driver that his girlfriend was "his problem"?

He's cranky, but he's got passion - and another three years.

Thanks for everything Joe Paterno.

Alex Ferguson

http://viewfromnorthamerica.blogspot.com

JoePa birthday wishes, continued

Image 72111472: Doug Pensinger/Courtesy of Getty Images Sports

Dear Joe,
Happy Birthday to the greatest football coach who ever lived--not just for the victories you have gained for Penn State but for the ideals, integrity, and character you have instilled in young men for over forty years. Whether you won or lost, you did it the Penn State way--with class. You made the "Grand Experiment" a great success. Have a wonderful 82nd birthday. (I'll always remember the day, after I dropped my kid off at the beginning of the school year, and stopped into the football building to watch some of the players lift weights. You came walking in, and, even with your busy schedule, took the time to talk to me and shake my hand)

Sincerely,
Robert Werner, class of 1965

Happy Birthday JoePa, from Krissy

Image 1786463: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Sports

From Krissy, who sent in her thoughts on JoePa. Not too late to send yours in- JoePaBirthday@gmail.com. Thanks!

I wanted to get in to say that JoePa is one of the most class acts I know.

Joe Paterno has coached for decades, and done a spectacular job at it. He gives 100% while coaching. But his coaching is not what I love most about him. What I love most is how he takes care of his boys. He does whatever he can for them. And what does he expect in return? 100% from them, just as he gives. He teaches them to be responsible. If they really mess up, he doesn't allow them to play in the game, regardless. He does what is best for them and for their future, as well as what is best for the community. That is because our JoePa has his priorities straight.

JoePa is also known as an "educator and a philanthropist." He and his wife Sue contributed $4 million towards departments in the college and towards a spiritual center. He also helped raise $13.5 for the local college library (Pattee)

I also like that he's a regular guy. He's humble. He has enough money to have others do things for him (pick up his cleaning, whatever), yet he walks around town like any other guy, and does his own errands. I stood next to his wife at Joel Confer Toyota's as she picked up her Toyota . It wasn't later until somebody whispered, "There's Sue Paterno!" She was your average lady, yet very classy! I don't know what I was expecting to see, but I thought they would be people a little more removed from the community. They weren't.

JoePa has five kids and 16 grandkids. I watched his son get married at the local Catholic Church. The family is Catholic. How cool is that?

Happy birthday, Joseph Vincent Paterno. We're not likely to ever forget you!

- Krissy Knox :)

my blog: http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com
find me on twitter: www.twitter.com/iamkrissy

Didn't get your wish in on time? Don't fret.

Didn't get your birthday message for JoePa submitted before we blew out the candles?

Don't worry, we'll be keeping the site updated and active through the Rose Bowl. So keep sending your bday messages, favorite stories, videos, and pictures, to JoePaBirthday@gmail.com or posting in the comments.

Once the festivities surrounding the Rose Bowl have calmed down, we'll put all the birthday messages and submissions together to send to JoePa. So you still have time to be included!

Happy 82nd Birthday Coach Paterno!

Image 56520573: Al Bello/Courtesy Getty Images Sports

HAPPY 82ND BIRTHDAY COACH PATERNO!

Love,
The Fans