Icon

[Oakland]

Independent of the scandal. I was surprised to hear Joe referred to as an icon. I have thought of him as a FB coach who won a lot of games and stayed on 10-15 years too long, but not an icon.

 

[kcsu]

An Icon in the modern use of the word is something, a name, a picture, a face, a person who comes to represent something else of greater significance. Joe PA was an Icon for Pstate

 

[Upstate]

Independent of the scandal, he won the most games ever, had a great legacy on the field and a great rapport with his players. Love him, hate him, he is an icon.

 

[Stern]

Paterno was close friends with Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. Paterno spoke at republican national conventions. A couple heads of states from other countries when they came to America on visits would ask to meet with Paterno that's how popular and well known he was. That's why he is an ICON as well.

Up until the scandal he was that respected not just in america but around the world.