Game of My Life Penn State: Memorable Stories of Nittany Lion Football

Do not be fooled by the title Game of My Life: Penn State. This isn t a book that dwells solely on happy memories of great games of years past. When author Jordan Hyman, a Penn State graduate, went looking for 20 game recollections from some of Penn State s football legends, he discovered in his interviews feelings of joy, respect, and pride, but also locked-away emotions dealing with anger, racism, and regret.

Thus, Wally Triplett will rave about the famous 1948 Cotton Bowl, Penn State versus Doak Walker-led Southern Methodist, but he ll also relay his experiences as a black football player in State College in the 1940s. Rosie Grier will recall upsetting Illinois in 1954, but he ll also reminisce about his roots on a Georgia farm and how he came to arrive in University Park in the first place.

There are shining moments paired with wonderful anecdotes: Gregg Garrity cannot forget the catch that would help win the 1983 national title game for the Lions and land him on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Nor can he forget what happened after the game, when the team buses accidentally left him and two of his teammates at the Louisiana Superdome.

There are unforgettable relationships: LaVar Arrington still speaks fondly of ex-defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, to whom Arrington and teammates dedicated the 1999 Alamo Bowl victory. But what of Arrington s relationship with Joe Paterno? And speaking of Paterno, what does he recall of his first victory as Penn State s head coach in 1966?

It s all here. From Paterno to Lenny Moore to John Cappelletti, Game of My Life: Penn State is full of big names, big games, and 20 lifetimes worth of memories memories sure to get any Penn Stater feeling nostalgic.