Penn State Football: 10 Ways You Know You Are a Nittany Lion Fan

Penn State football is steeped in rich tradition. With success comes a strong following. A strong following usually leads to qualities unique to your fanbase.

In Penn State's case it definitely does.

Many Penn State fans identify themselves with Penn State culture wholeheartedly. So much so they have a hard time differentiating between football games and everyday life. 

You probably know if you fall into that category. If you do not, here are 10 ways you can tell.

You Wear White to All Major Occasions

Penn State fans notoriously wear white to momentous home games. The whiteouts are designed to intimidate the other team, fire up the Nittany Lions and create an altogether raucous atmosphere.

If you find yourself wearing white to all major occasions, you are probably a devout fan of Penn State football. Some habits are hard to break. 

Penn State fans wear white T-shirts and pack their beloved stadium. Some fans, like the guys pictured to the left, take the whiteout to a different level. 

No matter how much white you wear, whiteouts are a staple of Penn State tradition.

You Know How to Do the "LaVar Leap"

Every Penn State fan remembers LaVar Arrington. Fans also remember Arrington's famous "LaVar Leap" against Illinois in 1998.

The rest of the game barely seems relevant when compared to Arrington's unfathomable tackle. Arrington leaped over the line of scrimmage on 4th-and-inches to stop the Fighting Illini dead in their tracks. 

The average Penn State fan probably cannot do the "LaVar Leap," but they know how too.

Arrington's superb athleticism and tenacity is summed up in this one spectacular play.

You Find Yourself Humming "Zombie Nation"

"Zombie Nation" is the monosyllabic anthem for Penn State football. Fans cannot get its rhythm out of their heads for weeks following a game in Beaver Stadium.

Beaver Stadium is an extremely loud stadium, and one of the best home-field advantages in college football. "Zombie Nation" creates a stir among the fans, and contributes to the deafening pitch.

If you find yourself humming this song at home, work or the shower you are a Penn State fan. It means Penn State football as much as anything.

You Have an Aversion to Scarlet

Penn State's biggest rival is Ohio State. Penn State fans do not like the Buckeyes and avoid the color scarlet at all times.

If you break out in a cold sweat around this particular red hue, you are definitely a Penn State follower.

The Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions have played some epic games in the past. Dating back to Woody Hayes' days on the Ohio State sideline, Penn State and Ohio State has always been worth watching.

The Ohio State game is a matchup Penn State fans circle on their calendars every year. 

You will not find a lot of bright red clothing in a Penn State closet.

You Have an Extreme Sense of Community

Penn State football fans take great pride in their community. The Nittany Lion fanbase sticks together through thick and thin.

Take in one game at Beaver Stadium, and it becomes apparent. Penn State fans are their own separate entity.

Fans rally together during the good times, and help their team to victory. Fans also come together during the tough times, and help their program find the right path again. 

Every fanbase has its own sense of community, but Penn State's is something special. 

You Remember Pete Giftopoulos

Pete Giftopoulos made possibly the single greatest play in Penn State history in 1986. 

The Nittany Lions entered the Fiesta Bowl ranked No. 2. The Miami Hurricanes entered at No. 1.

The Hurricanes were stacked with All-Americans and bad attitudes. Penn State's task was tall to say the least. 

With Miami threatening in Penn State's red zone and time running thin, Giftopoulos intercepted All-American quarterback Vinny Testaverde to seal the Penn State victory.

Giftopoulos did not have an overall standout career. This one play sealed his spot in Penn State history.

If you remember the interception, you are a fan of college football classics. But, if you remember who caught the ball, you are a Penn State follower.

You Generally Hate Quarterbacks

Penn State football has had a handful of successful quarterbacks in its long history. The rest have been bad. Some have been really bad.

Nittany Lion fans generally feel skepticism toward the most important position on the field. Fans are used to seeing Nittany Lion quarterbacks struggle to make simple throws and make bad decisions with ease.

Quarterbacks are a consistent thorn in Penn State's side. That fact will not change with Matt McGloin lining up behind center this season. 

Bill O'Brien seems to have Penn State on the right track in this department.

That does not stop Nittany Lion fans from feeling their skin crawl when the word "quarterback" is mentioned.

You Know How to Spell Posluszny

Paul Posluszny is one of the best linebackers in Penn State history; however, his name is not the easiest to spell.

If you can recite it by heart, you are probably a Penn State football fan. 

Posluszny graduated as Penn State's all-time leading tackler, but was passed by Dan Connor a year later. He currently stands at No. 2 on the career tackles list.

Posluszny is a big part of Penn State's "Linebacker U" tradition. He made big plays, and was a leader in his four-year career. 

His name may be difficult to spell, but his feats are not difficult to remember.

You Get Chills When You Hear Rick Mirer's Name

Rick Mirer broke the hearts of Penn State fans in 1992. The Nittany Lions lost to Notre Dame, 17-16, in what is known as the Snow Bowl. 

The Nittany Lions saw their lead crumble to Mirer's Irish. With the Irish trailing by one, Lou Holtz decided to go for a two-point conversion rather than kick the tying extra point. Mirer completed the pass to Reggie Brooks, and the Irish walked away with a victory.

Mirer did not have an illustrious NFL career, and did not strike fear into the hearts of many opponents.

You know you are a Penn State fan if Mirer's name brings you back to 1992, and it still stings.

You Can Only Think of One Head Coach

Joe Paterno's illustrious head coaching career will never be forgotten in college football lore. Penn State fans will associate Paterno's name with Penn State football until the end of time. 

You know you are one of these devoted fans if Paterno's name is the only name that comes to mind when someone mentions "college football head coach."

Penn State fans have a passionate, protective sense of their beloved coaching icon. Paterno is synonymous for success, honor and dignity in the Penn State community.

That will not change. At least not for a very long time.