Paterno questionable for sideline
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Paterno questionable for sideline
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno may be forced to watch today's Temple game from the press box instead of from his customary spot pacing the sidelines at Beaver Stadium.
The 81-year-old Paterno has a knee sprain and was visibly limping as he emerged from the team bus this morning. According to team spokesman Jeff Nelson, Paterno and his doctors won't make a decision until game time.
If Paterno chooses to coach from the press box it won't be the first time. Two years ago, after he had his leg broken during the Wisconsin game, Paterno missed the following week's Temple game. But he returned and coached from the press box for the season finale against Michigan State and over a month later for the Outback Bowl against Tennessee.
Paterno injured his left knee four weeks ago when he tried to kick an on-sides kick prior to Coastal Carolina game. He kept the injury hidden for the next few weeks, but was walking gingerly on the sidelines last week during the Syracuse game. Two trainers stood close by the iconic coach.
For his Thursday night weekly call-in radio show, Paterno answered questions from home instead of in studio, as is the norm. Reports indicated that he may have to coach from the press box, but Paterno was the first off the team bus this morning at 10:30 a.m. He walked very slowly into the tunnel, acknowledging the fans.
This season is Joe's fourth season on the paper's Penn State beat. He previously covered the Nittany Lions for United Press International from 1976 to 1984.
Emily Kaplan is the Inquirer’s fall intern covering the Nittany Lions. She is a senior at Penn State and has covered a variety of sports for the university’s student-run paper, The Daily Collegian. Over the last two years, she has reported for The Associated Press from State College.
A Montclair, N.J. native, she has also interned at MLB Network, NHL.com and covered the 2012 Olympics in London. Follow her on Twitter here @EKaplan24.
