Locals React to Paterno’s Passing

The news of Joe Paterno’s passing quickly swept across the country Sunday morning.

WHIZ caught up with three brothers at The Barn in Zanesville who spend every weekend watching the games together.  Like many football fans, they have a lot of respect for the former Penn State football coach who won a Division I record 409 games over 46 seasons with the Nittany Lions.

"I was a little surprised and saddened of course," said Chris Joseph.  "I just think about all of the things that he did there.  It kind of reminds me of the Titanic.  It was a great thing and then it just suddenly plummeted.  It’s just sad.  The whole thing is sad."

"I was saddened," said Mike Joseph.  "It’s a great institution.  He’s helped a lot of young men in life and in football.  He’s done a lot for their families, and his legacy will continue to do that at Penn State."

"I really believe that deep down inside, all colleges and universities are a kin, and everybody suffers when something like this happens," said Dave Joseph.  "We know we’ve had our problems in the past with Jim Tressel, so we’re not immune to that.  When somebody passes, everybody steps back and says how important are sports, how important is a person."