Joe Paterno Legacy: All the Lessons I've Learned About Life from Joe Paterno

Life comes and goes in the blink of an eye, and if we don't take the time to stop and look back on what life has taught us, and share that with those around us, we waste the time we've been given.

That's why I'm writing this article.  To share with you the lessons I learned from Joe Paterno, with the hope that it benefits you in some way.

I am Penn State.

I gave four years of my money, my heart and my soul to Penn State, and what did i get in return?

I gained lasting memories

I earned an incredible education.

I found the greatest friendships any man could ask for.

I met an absolutely amazing woman, who I now call my wife.

I became the part of something bigger than myself, the Penn State family.

Most of all, I had the opportunity to learn from a legendary man by the name of Joe Paterno.

Some of the most important lessons I took from Penn state came from what I learned from watching the life of Joe Paterno.

I learned that success doesn't come by how much money you make, by the people you know or by the things that people say about you.  Success is earned by what you do when no is watching.

Success is gained when you realize your own potential, and you strive for greatness even when no one is watching.

I learned that while success is valuable, it can easily be tarnished if it isn't accompanied by honor and integrity.  I sadly learned that in the past few months.

I learned that everyone has to start somewhere.  Whether it's as an undersized quarterback/cornerback at Brown, or at a prep school in the heart of Brooklyn, life can't begin until you accept where you currently are.

I learned that you can't be a winner in life, unless your willing to put in the time it takes to prepare.

I learned that doing the bare minimum isn't enough.  If you don't know if you're doing enough, always do more.

I learned that loyalty is something that is truly priceless, and that loyalty can't be bought.

I learned that respect is the foundation of life, and that respect cannot be bought, it must be earned through trust, honor and mutual respect.

I learned that a legacy that took 45 years to establish can sadly be altered in just a few minutes, which taught me the importance of every single decision we make. 

Most of all, I learned from watching Joe Paterno that life isn't lived in the spotlight.  It's lived in the times you spend with family, friends and loved ones, creating memories that are the most valuable pieces and foundations of our lives.

No matter when Joe Paterno breathes his last breath, one thing is for sure, and that is that we won't have had enough time with him on this earth.

Joe Paterno will always be a special part of Penn State, and the life he lived will continue to teach us lessons about life.

Live a life that people will remember.  Live a life that changes people's lives.

Thank you Joe, for all that you've taught us.  You'll always be remembered.