What It Means to Be a Nittany Lion: Joe Paterno and Penn State's Greatest Players

by Lou Prato (Editor), Joe Paterno (Contributor), Scott Brown (Editor)

In compiling this book, two Penn State football authors of different generations, Lou Prato and Scott Brown, found striking similarities in each of the player’s stories and reminiscences. These men are all proud to have played for Penn State—proud of the education they received, and proud of the legacy they helped establish for high standards on and off the football field. Ultimately, that’s What It Means to Be a Nittany Lion.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was worth the read, especially if you're a Penn State fan. It has stories from various players through the decades, even before Paterno's era. I am curious if the authors solicited the former players, or if the players volunteered. I thought there were some key players who I thought would have contributed, such as Kerry Collins. While most of they stories were in a positive light, many were still honest about their experiences. For example, Zack Mills wrote his from more of an honest POV, and didn't sugarcoat his experiences.

It should also be noted that this book was published well before 2011, therefore, many players mention Jerry Sandusky in a positive light. Jerry even writes a story, as he's a former player from the 60s. It's a little disconcerting, but something to note when reading.

I also didn't realize this was a series, and other schools have their versions.