Cancer Takes an Icon

Today cancer took the life of an icon. 

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died as a result of complications with his treatment for lung cancer.

The end of Coach Paterno's 61-year career with Penn State was tainted by scandal--fallout from the actions of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.  I honestly believe Coach Paterno was relieved of his duties less because of any failures on his part, and more because his presence was so large that it was necessary to remove him from the equation in order to dim the spotlight shining so brightly on Penn State University when that scandal broke.  Regardless, it was only days after he stopped coaching that Paterno was diagnosed with lung cancer.

I can't help but think that JoePa must have been carrying this cancer around in his body for a very long time prior to its diagnosis.  When he stopped in the Law School briefly last summer, I took a good look at him through our office suite door.  He was pale.  And frail.  Not at all the vibrant man with the rolled up pant legs that used to pace the sidelines during games.  At the time I chalked it up to old age.  He was 84 at that point.  And he had never slowed down.  He worked hard to the very end.  And I actually think that may have been his downfall.

Maybe Joe should have taken it easy.  Perhaps retired.  At least taken an extended vacation.  And definitely he should have seen a doctor sooner and listened to what his body was trying to say.  I don't think it's an accident that his diagnosis came so soon after he was forced to stop coaching.  The situation finally afforded him the time to address a health issue that likely should have been acknowledged much earlier.  Would an earlier diagnosis have extended JoePa's life?  We can't know.  Lung cancer doesn't have an extraordinarily good survival rate in the best of circumstances.  But earlier diagnosis sure couldn't have hurt!

One final lesson from legendary Coach Paterno:  Take the time to take care of yourself.  It could save your life.

I leave you with the above video...which will always remain one of my favorite Joe Paterno memories.