During last night's Penn State-Notre Dame N.I.T. Semifinal game, ESPN decided to sit down with Joe Paterno and the result is one of the most hilarious on-air interviews I've ever witnessed. After some Football questions, Bill Raftery decided to ask the Coach what he thought about College Basketball and this was his response (sorry for the video quality). Via HHR....

"They all talk about it as a Black Man's game now. Everyone says it's a Black Man's game. When I grew up it was a Jewish mans game."- Joe Paterno

Obviously Joe Paterno wasn't being derogatory in any way, but it's still awkward to hear someone who's 82 years old not being politically correct. The added clip of Joe Pa emulating the granny free throw was just icing on the cake.

JoPa Being JoPa (HHR)

When you're about to get blown out in the Rose Bowl, and you have a bum leg, the last thing you want to do is answer a random reporters set of pregame questions. Well at least that's how Joe Paterno felt before yesterday's game. ABC's Lisa Salters was trying to get a hold of Joe Pa before the game, and even went so far as to stand outside his booth, drawing the ire of the Penn State Coach. Via Farther Off The Wall....

Paterno didn't come down on the field during pre-game warmups. Nor did he do "a scheduled interview with us even though he was contractually obligated because of our Rose Bowl game deal," she reported.

Paterno instead told Penn State officials he was tired of the focus being on him all week, and rather than draw more cameras and reporters to him before the game against USC started, he'd just retreat to his press box seat.

"I can tell you Paterno has been on a slow boil about this (attention) issue all week long," said Salters, who relayed a story about asking him before the game if he'd talk to the team on the field before heading up to the press box, he snapped back: "Stop talking about me!"

Salters added that Penn State could be "fined up to $10,000" for Paterno's refusal to let her interview him before the game, "and apparently he doesn't care."

Well that's a salty way to be, isn't it? In all seriousness though, coaches give the media a ton of information leading up to the game, that they shouldn't be forced right before the start of a big Bowl Game. Plus, $10K isn't a lot of money for a University like Penn State. Just pay it with, straight cash Joe Pa.

JoePa snubs Lisa Salters, and neither she (nor ABC) is happy about it (Farther Off The Wall)

At the beginning of the Football season, I linked to a wonderful Big Ten Network commercial that featured all of the coaches giving recruiting speeches on camera. Well the channel has come out with another spot for Basketball season, and while it's not as hilarious as Joe Paterno yelling at you to come to Penn State, it still gets the message across....

I still believe that less is more when it comes to spots like these and the BTN definitely has that down. Again, it would have been better if they got Tubby Smith to yell into the camera like Joe Pa, but it's enjoyable none-the-less.

Joe Paterno Now Creeping Out Recruits Via The Big Ten Network (Awful Announcing)

I honestly vowed to move away from the seemingly constant Erin Andrews updates on the site, but the woman actually had something new to say in an interview with First Cuts today. Back in October, I came across a nugget that hinted at a move to Hollywood for the Sideline Queen, but as it turns out....that was blown "way out of proportion" (sure it was)....

EA: I don't want to switch. The one part of that article that they didn't put in there was I said I want to read TMZ and People when I want to get away from sports because I read about sports 24/7. So then it was this whole thing on the internet. "Oh my god, Erin Andrews going to Hollywood!" And it was like, "No, that's not what I said." I'm honestly one of the biggest tomboys there is and I love sports.

I went on a trip with my dad a couple of weeks ago and we went to a sporting event. We were in the hotel and he changed SportsCenter and put on National Geographic, and I asked him "What are you doing?" and he said "I'm just giving you a break from it all." The most entertainment I've ever done was The ESPYs for ESPN and I think that's almost a perfect amount because it's Hollywood and athletes. I don't get to meet the NBA and NFL guys normally. I'm not really looking to get into entertainment right now.

Whew! In all seriousness though, I think a move to Entertainment would be a bad move for her at this point. As much fun as we poke at the sideliners of the world, she still works her tail off. And in the pantheon of the "out-of-bounders", she still delivers information and interviews that I can actually stand. So yeah....crisis averted, I guess.

Oh and if you thought we were done with EA news today, you are sadly mistaken. She was also on the DP show today, and in one of the more humorous stories she's shared.....EA talks about being outrun by a 78 year old Joe Pa!



Man....just the thought of Erin Andrews getting stiff armed by Joe Pa makes me giggle. Good times. Feel free to click the link below for the full DP show interview with Ms. Andrews.

Erin Andrews Talks Video Games, Says She Isn't Leaving For Hollywood (First Cuts)
The Lovely Erin Andrews (Dan Patrick Show)
Erin Andrews Hints At A Move To Entertainment (Awful Announcing)

It's one thing to trash talk the opposing team if you're a player. It's another thing to trash talk the other team's coach if you're a player. It's even another thing to trash talk the other team's coach by saying he needs a casket......and you're a cheerleader......

Paterno turned 81 last week. Penn State faces A&M Saturday night in the Alamo Bowl.

The schools held pep rallies Thursday night in San Antonio, and one A&M yell leader told the crowd that Paterno was "on his death bed" and "someone needs to find him a casket."

The remarks drew boos from the crowd. Some A&M and Penn State fans said the remarks were offensive and inappropriate.

Woooooo! I'm fired up for the Alamo Bowl now! Let's kill people!!! Wait, what?

Only "some" fans found the comments offensive? I'd like to see the people who actually cheered that crap.

Aggie's Paterno 'Needs Casket' Comment Prompts Outrage (WGAL.com)

P.S.- Oh and the lovely lady above was not the culprit nor do I know if she is actually a cheerleader.