Paterno Legacy Quotes

“Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence or worth is a tragedy.”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father

“I hope you fall in love with something bigger than yourself. That term “something bigger that yourself” has almost become a cliché. But it really entails this: make yourself vulnerable, pour your heart into someone or something despite knowing if things go wrong it will hurt so deeply as to gut your soul. It could be family, a cause, a university you love, or to believe in something so real like “Success with Honor.” May you find a cause or a love so precious you will defend its honor to the last, fighting even if it means shouting truth to power over the howling tempest winds as most of the world pushes back against you. If there is one lesson I have learned in my life, it is the pride, the honor that comes when you stand up for right.”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father

“Among them this quote from Lincoln stands as a testament to how my father lived his life: “I do the very best I know how-the very best I can; and I mean to do so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings out winged Angels swearing I was right it would make no difference.”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father

“His longevity, his loyalty, his character, I am a great admirer of Joe Paterno.” —then-Florida coach Urban Meyer “I don’t think there’ll ever be one like Joe Paterno.” —then-Ohio State coach Jim Tressel”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father

“I’d rather lose a game the right way than win a game the wrong way.”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father

“It is something that you will learn tomorrow that will carry you through your life. You will take punches, and as long as you are not scared, as long as you stand your ground, you will get your opening to win the fight.”
― Jay Paterno, Paterno Legacy: Enduring Lessons from the Life and Death of My Father