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Current Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington played for Joe Paterno at Penn State from 1997-1999. Arrington was the first sophomore ever to be named Big Ten defensive Player of the Year and the ninth linebacker under Paterno to receive first team All-America honors.
1) What were your first impressions of Joe Paterno? How was the man who recruited you different from the image/idea you previously had of him?
"I thought he was a lot thinner. He looked bigger on TV. That's how I pictured him to be and that's exactly how he was."
2) What is your favorite JoePa story?
"I knew Joe as like the coach from team meetings. I never really dealt with him directly. During practices he always said break down, run to the ball. But overall, he pretty much let Jerry Sandusky coach."
3) What separates Paterno from other football coaches?
"He's smart, I don't know that there are too many coaches as knowledgeable about the game as Joe is. In terms of schemes, game plans, certain things, you just know that Joe really knows and understands the game."
4) Critique his style -- coaching and fashion. What wardrobe advice would you give your former coach?
No response
5) What impact has Paterno had on your life?
On a personal level, he has done a great job of teaching young college players, actually young adults, about being men. You hear so many horror stories about guys getting in trouble, being irresponsible people. Joe put us in atmosphere where we're learning how to be responsible adults. We understood that it's not all about football. We learned to be good people first, and that's what goes a long way in life."
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