The Big Ten Network aired “A Memorial for Joe,” a final major campus tribute to Coach Joe Paterno held earlier today in the 12,000+ seat Bryce Jordan Center. The retrospective above is one of the short films that was a part of today’s service that ended with the Lord’s prayer.

A Philadelphia friend asked me the other night about Joe Paterno. Knowing of the outpouring of love and emotion for the man, he asked  ”Can you tell me what he was to you?”

Now, I’ve met neither Joe nor Sue Paterno. During the time I lived in State College, like many, I would see him around. Walking along past the Creamery. Another time near Hort Woods. Once having lunch with someone at the Corner Room. Despite not having met him, I knew of his character through deeply trusted friends. And his public life, and private example, have impacted my approach toward life (really, to being a man) profoundly.

It’s some of what I tried to communicate in what was essentially an open letter to the Paterno family.

“Can you tell me what he was to you?” asked my friend, half incredulously. Instinctively I offered in answer: “I felt like a son to him.” I’ll continue to feel like a father’s life and example has set expectations for my own living, because it has. Isn’t that what a father is?