Penn State Football: Joe Paterno Takes a Licking, Keeps on Ticking

On Sunday, it was reported that Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was taken down by wide receiver Devon Smith. Paterno tumbled to the ground, but was helped right back up and continued through practice as if nothing had happened. Paterno was set to go home after practice, but was directed to get some X-rays done at the Mt. Nittany Medical Center.

At least one hairline fracture between his pelvis and right arm ensured that Paterno would be checked in to the hospital for more tests.

That was not enough to keep Paterno from participating in Monday's practices, though. The 84-year-old coach conducted a regularly-scheduled coaches' meeting by teleconference, and expects to be back on the field in short time.

A Penn State release says that Paterno is expecting to be released from the hospital within 24 hours, and his return to the practice field should follow in short time.

This latest episode, although scary, is the latest example of just how resilient the coach is and how determined he is to continue perfecting his craft.

In 2006, Paterno was run into on the sidelines in Madison, Wisconsin, when a Badger broke his leg. Two seasons later, Paterno was attempting to show the proper way to execute a kicking drill when he dislocated his hip. Paterno coached the remainder of the regular season from the coaches' box, but returned to the sideline for the Rose Bowl that season.

What exactly will it take to keep Paterno away from coaching? Hip, arm, leg and pelvic injuries certainly don't seem to do it.

This summer, Paterno has been in considerably better health compared to last year, when the coach was battling a number of illnesses that raised some alarms within the Penn State community. In good spirits at Big Ten media day, Paterno said that he was feeling good and was ready to coach for another four to five years.

Paterno, who will be turning 85 in December, has been through a lot off the field over the years, and people will continue to wonder just how much more he can take at his age.

But if he has not stepped aside yet, these latest injuries certainly do not seem like they will be enough to force the iconic coach to change his mind any time soon.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter. Become a fan of him on Facebook.