Posted on 12/28/2007 2:35:48 PM PST by trumandogz
Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who turned 81 last week, jokingly dismissed the comments of a Texas A&M yell leader Thursday night that Paterno was “on his death bed” and “someone needs to find him a casket.”
But it’s no joking matter to the Aggies, who sent the yell leader home and have issued numerous apologies to various Penn State officials.
The remark came at an Alamo Bowl-sponsored pep rally for fans of both schools. Penn State fans booed loudly after the remark from the yell leader, one of five A&M upperclassmen who fill the high-profile spirit role at the school.
Paterno brushed aside the incident at a press conference today.
“I think everybody’s got to take things with a grain of salt,” he said. “It’s some young guy up there and he’s trying to be funny, and maybe he’s accurate. I don’t know.”
In addition to issuing several apologies, A&M might further discipline the student, who was not identified.
“Further action is being considered, but for now he was simply sent home,” Dean Bresciani, A&M’s vice president for student affairs, said today.
Neither Paterno nor A&M interim coach Gary Darnell actually heard the comments. Darnell said his wife broke into tears when she apologized to Paterno’s wife for the remarks, which Darnell said were highly inappropriate in a public setting in front of fans from both schools.
“That is so demeaning to the Aggie spirit to come across like that,” Darnell said. “That is not representative of what an Aggie is.”
In WWII, Texas A&M’s 14,000 officers in service exceeded the number from West Point, and about 1,000 Aggies gave their lives in the service of our country. Twenty-nine Aggies served at flag rank. Seven Aggies were awarded the Medal of Honor.
College Station: Where men are men and the sheep are nervous.
Keep braying. I don’t know who you are, but your nastiness is sure telling us alot about you.
A&M has lost 14 of its alumni in Iraq and Afghanistan, most recently, about 2 weeks ago.
don’t think I knew about that
Flunk out of UT? I usually find that the biggest badmouthers are the ones who never managed to get their degree from that university. The alums usually have a little more class.
Yell Leaders expected to dialog a series of jokes/fart-offs etc. to energize the student body. Event may also include
boy-meets-girl=tee hee jokes. A&M officials bedwetted if
this was a Yell Practice. If this was a multi school function, well it was just a bad idea, but these hurt people should just suck-it-up!!
and
Neither team was good enough for a bowl spot this year, but
it’s easy with 32 bowls.
and
Jinbo , your pics are good! the students are sawing varsity horns off & students are “humping” it practicing yells, no other school does that- once again showing A&M uniqueness,
The saber incident shows smu students breaking Kyle field rules on staying off the field, the Aggie is assigned to
make sure this does not happen. Aggies follow other schools
rules but expect same for other schools visiting to also abide by A&M campus rules. thanks again for the pics.
I'm saddened by that news but not surprised by it, Clara Lou. My respect goes out to all Aggies in service to this country, and my condolences go out to the families of these fallen Aggies.
There are quite a few prominent "military" colleges/universities in the U.S. where the students play soldier for four years, then put on a tie and class ring which serve to grant entrance to certain country clubs and social clubs within the state. Those students in the Corps at Texas A&M don't seem to fit that mold; instead, a large percentage serves our country.
Hook 'em Horns AND Gig 'em Aggies!
If you're looking for an argument you won't find one here.
I would! To compare an 81 year old coach to any university's student body, 18-21 year olds, is stupid.
He's all that and more. I still wish he'd retire and turn the program over to a younger coach. Surely he's got a 75-year-old assistant who's ready?
Tried to but got sacked for a 9 yard loss.
JoePa is a class act. I’m sure he’s heard far worse.
As for the fairies in the jumpsuits, I guess you just had to be there to get the joke.
What a punk kid.
I hope Penn State runs those morons into the ground.
Just like the Aggie Corps guy who pulled the sword on a member of a member of the SMU Band.
Class Acts.
You wouldn’t see this at old NE Missouri State?
Am I guessing correctly?
Cool, we just scored a TD against Bama. ;)
BTW, I notice no one here at FR has ever accused you of having any class. Quite the contrary, as a matter of fact.
Classy
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