A Legend passes... and thousands are outraged!

It is unfortunate that we will have a debate for the rest of time as to what is Joe Paterno's legacy? The former Penn State head football coach passed away January 22nd after announcing in November of 2011 that he had been diognosed with lung cancer. The diagnosis becoming public shortly after Paterno had been fired as the head coach at Penn State after 46 seasons. Paterno was fired after the sexual assault allegations were filed against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky is being charged for sexually assaulting 10 boys in a 15 year time span, and Joe Paterno was informed of the accusations in the late 90's and never fully reported them to the authorities, which led to his firing.

I do not think Paterno is innocent by any means, he said himself before his passing that he could of and should of done more. I ask that people remember the good and the bad that this man provided to his players and community, not that he is celebrated but that he is not crucified for one terrible mistake. I do understand that the mistake happens to be a very big one and one that some will never forget or be able to forgive but he did great things for college athletes for 60 plus years.

Paterno went to Penn State in 1950 as an assistant and eventually became head coach in 1966, where he won a record 409 games, won 2 national championships and won a record 24 bowl games. 250 young men that played under Paterno went on to play in the NFL and his team finished with a goose egg in the loss column 5 times. Those are all very impressive stats but the one that stands out to me and the one that I believe really matters, is his graduation rate. In a college sports world where education has seemed to be put on the back burner for the kids attending school and sports being a universities biggest cash grab and number 1 priority. Paterno graduated an incredible 89% of his players and that shows that he did care about his players because he knew that it about more than just football.

Again I ask that you not forgive Joe Pa for all his misfortunes but to remember all the good he had brought, not only to Penn State but to college athletes for more than 6 decades. How will you remember Joe Paterno? Love to hear from you so leave me a comment here or via twitter @JoshuaDover. Check out "The Mile High Morning Rush" on Mile High Sports Radio AM1510/FM93.7 Monday-Friday 6-7am with myself and Chris Bianchi.

THE CLOCK HAS STRUCK MIDNIGHT!

This Denver Broncos season is one that none of us will soon forget, but have any of the questions about the teams future, been answered? Tim Tebow has proved us all wrong and made a lot of us in the media eat our words from week to week. I have said from the beginning that I do not beilieve that Tebow is the long term answer at QB for the Broncos and I stand by that statement today. Tebow showed improvement each week and found a way to win when no one thought it could be done. His intagables is what makes so intriguing, while his relationship with God seems to be his #1 priority, and a big reason so many people are drawn to this young man. 

Tim Tebow is not the only reason that this Denver Broncos team seemed to excel after the Kyle Orton experience was over. The Broncos defense stepped up to the challenge when Tebow got the starting job, and seemed to be motivated from the always up beat and positive attitude of Tim Tebow. The defense did their part to keep the game close and allow the offense to work that "Mile High Magic" in the 4th quarter and overtime periods to bring the AFC West title to the Mile High City. Another factor in the Broncos success and in my opinion the biggest contributaor to the team was RB Willis McGahee. McGahee carried the team when the young QB clearly struggled to get the passing game going, McGahee rushed for just under 1,200 yards on the season. Tim Tebow is the MVP of the team for the way he was able to rally the troops but without the threat of Willis McGahee this team would not have won the AFC West.

So now that the cinderella season had come to an end, what does the team do from here? Draft a QB or bring in a veteran to create a competetion for starting QB job? The Tebow-maniacis will say that he has earned the starting job in 2012 and I wouldn't say their completely wrong, but in my opionon the team knows that with the NFL turning into a passing league, they need a consitnet QB that can get the job done week in and week out. I would also like to thank Tim Tebow for taking all of us on this ride, and thank him for showing professional atheltes what it means to be a role model for young children. He is truly a role model for kids and should be celbrated for that, he is a man that young men can look at and see that you don't have to be covered in jewerly and tattoos to be the big man on campus. 

Thank you again Tim Tebow and the entire 2011-2012 Denver Broncos for letting myself and many others cover the amazing ride that you've taken us on, I can only hope next year will be as good as this one. Although I do not believe he can carry this team to the promise land, I do beileive he can and will be a role model for kids world wide for many years to come and that is something you can't say about 90% of professional athletes. Catch me on Mile High Sports Radio M-F 6-7 am on "The Mile High Morning Rush" or I'd love to hear from you via Twitter I am @JoshuaDover and I look forward to hearing your take on the wild ride we were all a part of.