Jay Christensen over at the WIZARD OF ODDS has some sad photos that I haven’t seen before, of Joe Paterno using a cane:
The PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW reports that the ailment Paterno suffers somehow isn’t known, because Paterno claims he hasn’t had a doctor look at the problem.
The prevailing wisdom is the 81-year-old Penn State coach is suffering a hip problem and will likely have to get it replaced. But don’t tell that to the eternally cantankerous one:
When asked for specifics regarding his injury yesterday, Paterno was vague.
“I don’t know for sure what it is. It’s probably something to do with the hip,” he said. “I haven’t got time to spend going through a lot of examinations and things like that. I’m going to wait until the season’s over.”
My guess is Paterno knows exactly what’s wrong, and found out from doctors that whatever correction needed to be made would take him away from football for the rest of the season. If his team was 3-4, and not 7-0, I think he might go have his surgery. But so long as the Lions remain unbeaten, you can bet Paterno will be front and center to bask in the glory - regardless of the distraction it may cause.
Does anyone wonder how he still recruits? How he still is able to field competitive teams? Yeah, he needs to get whatever the problem is fixed, but it still is unreal how the man is able to coach (oversee) the hell out of the Lions.
UPDATE: OK, thanks to Brent Musberger, I officially feel like sh– for posting this. Thanks A.J.! On a side note, how was Dan Patrick able to drag Brent away from the Planet Hollywood Sportsbook for the interview?
7:05 pm on October 15th, 2008
In a few years, we're going to see Joe Paterno's head in a jar calling plays from the pressbox, a la Futurama.
7:08 pm on October 15th, 2008
Memo to Brooks: JoPa rarely leaves campus to recruit and doesn't do much of anything during games. His "genius" is assistant coaches.
7:09 pm on October 15th, 2008
time for joepa to hang up his whistle
7:17 pm on October 15th, 2008
Joe's not going anywhere. He'll be coaching until the end of time - or until Penn State goes through another 6-6 season.
7:18 pm on October 15th, 2008
MinnyCooper: The U. is bowl eligible! Woo-hoo!
Already booked the La Quinta for the Motor City Bowl?
7:20 pm on October 15th, 2008
JoePa, it's ova. You aren't going to croak like Bear if you retire. Chill the f out old man.
7:21 pm on October 15th, 2008
With Joe's new walking accessory, shouldn't he be coaching the 'Canes?
7:25 pm on October 15th, 2008
Joe Paterno needs to worry about his health. He really should retire.
7:26 pm on October 15th, 2008
Actually Phil, I think that's precisely what he thinks he's worried about.
http://www.faniq.com/blog/Brent-Musburger-Explains-Why-Joe-Paterno-Will-Not-Retire-Blog-12762
7:27 pm on October 15th, 2008
Dunder, that was brutal.
7:31 pm on October 15th, 2008
Let Joe keep coaching. It's not like he plays in a difficult conference.
7:33 pm on October 15th, 2008
This is news to me, I had no idea Paterno was apparently on his last leg.
7:43 pm on October 15th, 2008
I've seen this before: at a key moment of the BCS Title game, Paterno will suddenly spring to his feet, run down to the sidelines and clobber his QB with his cane, revealing himself to have been working for Pete Carroll all along. Life imitates WWE.
7:50 pm on October 15th, 2008
Musberger claimed to Dan Patrick yesterday that JoPa won't quit b/c he thinks he'll die (like Bear Bryant) if he does.
Does that answer your question Brooks?
7:55 pm on October 15th, 2008
hahaha @ canes joke. there are a lot of old people in miami, so paterno would fit right in.
7:55 pm on October 15th, 2008
Did we really need confirmation that brooks is an a–hole? Anyone who has been here more than a couple times doesn't need a poll to tell them that!
8:04 pm on October 15th, 2008
Paterno had it coming. Karma sucks baby.
8:07 pm on October 15th, 2008
Careful, Joe could be carrying a cane sword, ready to whip out and slash you at a moment's notice!
8:17 pm on October 15th, 2008
What? I'm "hip" to JoePa's problem.
And if his assistants don't like what's going on, there's going to be a Cane mutiny!
8:25 pm on October 15th, 2008
for an 81-year-old guy, joe paterno still has a lot of fire inside. compared to the other big ten coaches, he's definitely the most animated in this commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfLYO3F4D78
8:49 pm on October 15th, 2008
Remember Coach K. when he bailed on his crap Duke team?
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~dew6c/acc/duke95.html
This is nothing new.
9:00 pm on October 15th, 2008
They should get Joe a wheelchair. I can see him now, zooming up & down on the sidelines, chasing after refs and running over the toes of his assistant coaches.
9:44 pm on October 15th, 2008
Paterno is obviously an attention whore. He has nothing to do with the team's success, but wants to take all the credit. So he'll do whatever it takes to stay in the spotlight. I feel sorry for the players, they deserve a real coach!
9:45 pm on October 15th, 2008
I WONDER IF THEY HAVE AN ASST. COACH WHOSE JOB DESCRIPTION IS TO CHANGE HIS COLOSTOMY BAG.
9:54 pm on October 15th, 2008
I predict Michigan State will beat Penn State at the end of the season and end up with a better record.
PSU is a paper tiger. Who have they played?
11:25 am on October 16th, 2008
i bet none of you even know how he injured his hip do you? well it was kicking onsides kicks to his return team during practice! he's very much involved in coaching this team and no ones making decisions without him. he built that university and should never be forced to leave…he's likely donated more money to the univeristy than he's ever pocketed and not once has ever taken credit for anything! learn a lesson from the guy, don't hate because he's been able to put together a championship team at 81 years old and your sorry ass coaches can't do it!
11:26 am on October 16th, 2008
michigan STATES the PAPER TIGER jackass!
11:39 am on October 16th, 2008
JoePa & the Lions are going all the way. As Dan Patrick would say, you can't stop Paterno, you can only hope to contain him.
PSU will take care of OSU & MSU no problem. Miami, here we come!
1:26 pm on October 16th, 2008
Old guys seem to do well in Pennsylvania - Joe Paterno, Charlie Manuel, etc.
4:50 pm on October 16th, 2008
Whenever he breaks a cane, JoePa should autograph it and sell it on eBay. He'll make millions! Probably enough to cover the costs of his unavoidable hip surgery.