Penn State's tribute to Mike Mauti: Too much?
Glorifying just one player -- essentially putting him on a pedestal -- seems misguided. Mike Mauti wasn't the only player who stepped up this summer.
Penn State's tribute to Mike Mauti: Too much?
There is no way to describe what Mike Mauti means to this Penn State team. He gave the program a backbone this summer when all seemed disjointed, everyone seemed dejected and perhaps everything was at brink of falling apart. He convinced underclassmen to stay. He lead by example,playing gritty, determined football every game this season - that is, until this game.
When Mauti left the Indiana game with a knee injury, it was a cruel ending to an epic collegiate career. Really, Mauti is the stuff of legends. The linebacker is a quiet leader. He doesn’t like the attention. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, but he plays with class. He embodies every positive trait Penn Staters pride themselves in; Success with Honor, the whole 100 yards.
Penn State is playing today with No. 42 on their helmets, to honor Mauti whose collegiate career, barring a surprising petition for a sixth year of eligibility, is over. The “42” is large and blue and takes up pretty much the entire left side of the helmet. In a sweet gesture, senior linebacker Gerald Hodges changed his jersey to No. 42 today to honor his good friend. The helmet decals are a way for the senior to be on the field with his teammates without actually playing.
A nice tribute. According to a Penn State spokesperson, it was suggested by the team. But doesn’t it seem a bit much? He didn’t die. His football career is not over. He can still rehab and has prospects for a long and successful career in the NFL. He is just missing one game.
Glorifying just one player -- essentially putting him on a pedestal -- seems misguided. Mauti wasn’t the only player who stepped up this summer. He wasn’t the only senior who called and texted underclassmen. He wasn’t the only player to keep an even keel, persevere through unprecedented adversity and leave everything out on the field. The tribute seems like something Mauti, one of the most modest athletes you'll ever come across, would not sign off on. He'd be the first person to stress that football is a team sport and Penn State's success was a team effort.
Before the game, Penn State unveiled blue letters that read “2012” above the section on the East end of Beaver Stadium, the equivalent of the rafters at a basketball arena. It sits next to the year 2008, 2005, 1994 and 1986. In total, there are 15 other years there. They represent all of Penn State’s undefeated or championship seasons. With that, the university is saying this season is just as important, just as special.
There are more than 100 players on this year’s team that contributed to that, including 30 seniors who were honored before the game. Each played a role, not just Mauti. Penn State’s motto this season is “One Team” not “One Player.” What does everyone else think of the Mauti tribute? Comment below.
Women sports writers don't get it. Pink ribbons or shoes are OK but saying thanks to a guy is "too much." Get a life and cover women's beach volleyball.— johnroberts- I loved it. Was it a motivator? I think so!— Norm3
- The 2012 is being honored at the end of the stadium, but to honor the year is to honor something abstract. It makes perfect sense, that in honoring Mauti, the players picked one face who personified the trials and toughness of this season, and how they persevered (even when Mauti could not physically play) till the end. Nice job, Penn State!— Robman
- Nice piece Emily. I'm swimming against the tide with the other posters, but I think that you're spot on in your assessment.
And sorry about the few cretins lurking anonymously out there who post such vile and offensive crud. I'm sure their mothers would be so proud.— FishFryFrank - This comment has been deleted.— GrindHouse
- You, sir, are sick and probably projecting your own sublimated desires on a reporter. — johnroberts
- Great win. Emily, yes, you missed the point. Some men like Mauti represent the team effort, they embody it. Don't knock it. All those guys looked up to their captain and respected what he did help glue together to splintered pieces of Penn State football. I know it's only a game, but I was proud of all those involved today, and for this year. I'm in court for abused children during the week and glad that I can take the time on the weekends to extend a tradition that goes back to a simpler time.— retzlaff
- Is it a requirement to be a miserable, judgmental, arrogant, condescending jerk to be in the print media, or merely preferred? How ANYONE could even think to make an issue of this is beyond me. Congratulaitons, Emily. You're officially as obnoxious as most of your male colleagues.— bill_atkin,s
- Emily, After reading that article all I can think is, WOW, you just don't get it. Maulti isn't dead? Really? As a 32yr State College resident from Philly, you haven't a clue. With what this program went thru this year, his leadership was something historic in my years of following PSU football. You can actually find fault with the team honoring him with his number? Did you watch the game and see the motivation he tried to provide from the sideline? Time to switch majors kid.— tomdrum7
- Wow what abunch of classless ignorant beings. I'd apologize Emily but I'm afraid it's too little tto late. I couldn't agree with you more. If anyone should have been honored today it should have been Jordan Hill and all he's done in his entire career. But I guess actual domination on the field takes a back seat to emotional leadership at PSU. Maybe these "fans" actually deserve three more years of football purgatory.— JLH
- Emily, your reasoning is bad. Mauti has been a leader of the team and helped to hold it toggether along with other seniors like Zordich. Maybe you don't know it but Mauti was injured last week andcouldn't play. This tribute was from a team that recognized a great teammate and leader.— Drumgoole
- there is no room for this vulgar slop on Philly.com..Why wasn't Gridhouse banned? HE is a disrespectful PIG— bull****meter
- Rid this page of the filth spewed by grindhouse.Bettter editing required or rid the columns of comments..please— bull****meter
- I tend to agree with Ms. Kaplan. When I heard of the tribute, I thought it was a bit too over-the-top because Mauti isn't down for the count. His enthusiasm on the sidelines shows he has a lot invested in the team and is respected by the players and coaches, but his number on helmets? Too much. I sincerely wish JVP had been scrawled on the helmets of the seniors.— Izzie
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.
