Joe Paterno the man, the myth, the living legend denies any involvement in a road rage incident that occurred last week. Sure he’s at least 80 and sure he initiated the whole thing, but he’s Joe Pa and no damn state official in Pennsylvania will take his driving privileges away, unless they want someone else to coach a sub-par Penn State team.

“An exchange of words with another motorist on a campus road was blown out of proportion by Internet-fueled rumors and media speculation, Penn State coach Joe Paterno said Thursday night.

The motorist complained to university police about Paterno’s conduct after the Oct. 5 incident. No charges were filed.

Paterno, on his weekly radio show Thursday night, said the incident happened after he noticed a car had driven through a stop sign.”

In all seriousness I have a lot of respect for Joe Pa, but has anyone noticed those coke bottle glasses he wears? The lens has to be thicker than the Hubble telescope. I bet driving behind him is like driving behind most old people, the speed limit is 55 & they will not dare go over 30, even on the freeway.

“Later, when the person stopped, “I blew my horn at the person. … Then I pulled up beside her because there was nothing coming the other way,” Paterno told listeners. “I pointed my finger at her … and I said, ‘Boy, you went through that sign.’”

Paterno said he told the driver, “‘Don’t do that again, because I took your license number.’ And I really hadn’t taken her license number. All of a sudden, somebody knocks on my window. I put the window down, and he says, ‘That’s my wife.’”

Paterno said he responded to the driver’s husband, “Boy, that’s your problem” — though he later regretted saying that.

Paterno said he addresses safety issues with students when he sees a concern on campus.”

Finger at her and said boy….try saying ma’am it sounds politer and less confrontational. The line about telling the guy “that’s his problem” regarding his wife is gold. On the other hand Joe Pa is lucky he wasn’t taken from the car and beaten like the way a sorry Michigan team beat Penn State this year. People are crazy nowadays, it’s best too learn to mind your own business.

“He said he was angered by rumors — which first surfaced on Internet message boards — calling the incident “road rage” or saying that he used profanity.

“I really resent the whole thing. I don’t even know the names of the people who accused me of it,” Paterno said on the radio show.

He also said he was angry with some recent print and broadcast media reports about the incident.

“Very, very resentful of the media who are out in left field, because it’s not fair,” he said. “I’m not the greatest guy in the world. I make a lot of mistakes, and they want to second-guess my coaching. But gee, when I was doing what I thought was helpful. … Now it’s a national event.”

Aww it’s not fair…boo hoo. The lack of discipline in your program isn’t fair to the boosters, you don’t hear them whining. Notice his line about second guessing his coaching? I have a feeling that’s what he’s really mad about. It’s national event Joe Pa because this week has been really slow story wise. Almost 6 days since a Gator has been arrested. Wow! Of course the Penn State players are taking up some slack, but they’re arrested for minor things, your team needs to get some balls have one of the players go rob someone for a change.

“According to a police log reviewed by The Associated Press, a staff member reported just after noon Oct. 5 that “a male driver committed a traffic violation and acted in a disorderly manner.” University police do not release names in cases in which no charges are filed.”

No they didn’t release the names to protect Joe Pa, let’s be honest about it.

Penn State vice president Bill Mahon told the AP earlier this week that the chief of police, Steve Shelow, had told him that the case was closed and that no citations were issued.

“We talked to both drivers. We weren’t able to see anything that met a traffic citation or criminal citation,” assistant police chief Tyrone Parham said Thursday, without confirming the identity of the driver who was the target of the complaint.”

If you talked to both drivers then you should have notes on that which would mean you have their names. Unless you’re calling Joe Pa a liar since nothing met a traffic or criminal citation.

“During a news conference earlier this week, Paterno grew agitated with questions about off-the-field problems surrounding his team. A reporter asked Paterno to comment on speculation the coach himself “might have been involved in something,” to which Paterno replied, “Come on, let’s go.”

The traffic incident occurred the same day that Paterno suspended tailback Austin Scott for violating an undisclosed team rule.”

Forget it I’m not retiring yet.

See it all makes sense now. Joe Pa was pissed about Scott, got into his death machine of rage, a 77 Buick, and the road rage took over. I would be upset knowing the only reason I’m still coaching at 80 something is hoping Bobby Bowden retires soon, which isn’t going to happen. I think the AARP needs to step in and have him removed from his coaching job.

I know there are some Penn State fans reading this. Remember this is sarcasm, I like Joe Pa. He’s an institution even he does suffer from road rage time to time.

So I profess on this day 10/12/07.

TtT