Joe Paterno: Twitter Mourns Passing of Coaching Legend

Former Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno died Sunday at the age of 85 years old.

There is no sadder part of my job than the days I have to write about a passing; especially one that hits home for me as a kid from Philadelphia that has supported Penn State my whole life.

Paterno’s life was filled with great accomplishments and thousands upon thousands of people bettered by meeting the man. Like his career at PSU, his life ended in controversy, but that shouldn’t take away from the things that Paterno accomplished over his illustrious career.

All of the drama at Penn State has polarized the nation, but we should unify on this occasion to mourn together a great man that did so much good in a world so full of evil.

I’m not alone in that sentiment, the twitterverse let its feelings be known as well.

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 22, 12:01 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

Joe Paterno’s son Scott would like to send a message to all of the people that helped or were helped by his father:

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 22, 11:50 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

ESPN personality Rick O’Reilly keeps it short and simple, for once:

Bleacher Report featured columnist Dan Tylicki speaks about Matt Millen and his comments on Paterno’s death:

ESPN anchor Adnan Virk shares a viewpoint that so many of us feel on a sad day like this:

Wrestling legend the Blue Meanie used YouTube as a way to share his feelings on the matter:

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson sends his prayers to those hurt over Joe Pa’s passing:

WWE star John Cena gives his honest take on the whole situation:

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

The twitterverse has exploded over the death of a college football legend. People from all walks of life are chiming in on the sad news.

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing shares his experience with the coaching legend:

Sports journalism major Tom Dougherty tells it how it is about the not-so-fitting ending to the coach’s illustrious career:

Paterno’s son Jay publicly thanked the hospital staff for making the final moments of his life as easy as they could be for all parties involved:

Houston Astros beat writer Steve Campbell wants to remember the bright spots of the legend’s life:

Initial Report and Tweets

The legitimate breaking news was from the Associated Press:

ESPN LA reporter Arash Markazi points out a startling fact that many people feared would be the truth:

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison couldn’t believe the story when he heard it:

Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio shares his condolences:

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jimmy Rollins took to twitter to share his feelings:

Please check back as the day progresses and more fans and family react to the passing of a college football legend.

Check back for more on the NCAA Football as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s College Football Page to get your fill of College Football.

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