Current Miami Dolphins wide receiver O.J. McDuffie broke or tied 15 school records for receiving, return and all-purpose yards during his tenure in State College, which lasted from 1989-1992. A consensus first-team All-American in 1992, McDuffie ranks seventh on the school's list for career all-purpose yards with 3,817.
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?
"Well, growing up I wasn't really a Penn State fan. I wasn't really considering the school at all until Joe came to me and talked about all the benefits of the school. He spoke about the education, the football program, and especially the opportunity for me to play baseball. That was a major factor in my decision."
2) What is your favorite JoePa story?
"Occasionally he would come in and practice against us, playing the defensive end position. Sometimes his nose would get busted, his glasses would fall off and break. But he was in there coaching and helping us get better."
3) What separates Paterno from other football coaches?
"It's a whole different ballgame being a college coach. You have to address academics, athletics, the social aspects of being a student. Joe was always focused on making fine young men and having his players uphold the Penn State image all the time. You had to act right in public. If we were in a bowl game and he knew certain players did not behave appropriately in public, those guys didn't travel to the game."
4) Critique his style -- coaching and fashion. What wardrobe advice would you give your former coach?
"His wardrobe is like his coaching style -- ordinary and hard core. He's a very basic guy. He lives in a normal house even though he's got zillions of dollars. His phone number is even listed in the State College phone book. As for the wardrobe, he gets a lot of flack for the rolled-up pants, but that's smart. He rolls up the pants to show off those Nikes and make some money."
5) What impact has Paterno had on your life?
"It's amazing, you don't appreciate what Joe does until you're out of the program. He prepared us for life after football and tried to make us responsible people. I'm used to getting up early because Joe would require us to wake up early and have breakfast together. He taught that being on time means 10 minutes early. If you need to be there at 6:00, you're there at 5:50. He prepared us for real life because he's a very real person."
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