Pa.'s very own Lion King

When you arrive at your cubicle this morning, post this question for yourself.

Do you see yourself doing the same thing when you are 85?

No? Obviously you are not Joe Paterno.

The Lion King of Happy Valley inked a three-year contract extension that will keep him on the Nittany Lions sidelines until he’s 85.

Paterno turns 82 this week. He’s been hobbled this year by a broken hip, but shows no real signs of slowing down.

JoePa will lead the Lions into the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day for a date with USC after winning the Big 10 title.

Along the way he will continue to joust with Bobby Bowden of Florida State as the title-holder for most wins all-time by an NCAA football coach. Right now it’s Paterno on top of the heap.

Terms of the extension were not announced. It is believed Paterno earned $512,000 last year. He is one of the school’s biggest benefactors.

After some lean years, Paterno had the Lions back in the hunt for a national title this year. Their hopes were scuttled by a late-season loss at Iowa. But they sit at No. 6, and have a date with No. 5 USC.

JoePa is our very own version of the Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going.

I can only hope that I will still be blogging when I’m 85.

On second thought, maybe that’s not such a great idea.

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