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Many of us were in awe when he was out on the gridiron.
Some of us marveled at how he excelled from the Altoona Parochial League, through Roosevelt Junior High School and dominated on the field for the Altoona Mountain Lions.
He led Altoona to the 1969 WPIAL championship game and was recognized by the Pennsylvania All-state football team, playing in the Big 33 Classic before moving onto West Virginia University.
Fortunately, I personally am able to say that I was one of his teammates at both St. Mary's Parochial Grade School and later at West Virginia.
What an awesome experience for two old friends to play side by side for the Mountaineer defense in the early 1970s until a severe ankle injury slowed his playing career.
I will fondly remember my friend John Withers, who passed away on Saturday morning, Aug. 17, 2024.
I am hoping he will rest in peace.
Thom Geishauser
Altoona
Franklin needs momentum for '25
As I've looked back on all of my letters during the James Franklin era, I found a theme.
Every year begs the question -- is this the year? Is this the year we finally beat Ohio State straight up? Is this the year we make the playoffs? Is this the year we break the turf ceiling and become a player on the national stage? Is this the year?
Last year I said it was CJF's make-or-break year, and he actually did both. He made it to 11 wins again, but he couldn't break through the gauntlet of Big Ten super powers.
This year I feel like he has a really good team, a lot of talent and depth, a very strong defense and an offensive coordinator with some of the Joe Moorhead magic. He's also got some of the pressure off with a 12-team playoff. So what does that mean for us, the long waiting fans?
It means 11 wins again, but this time in the regular season. It means another loss to Ohio State, the closest thing to a professional team in college football. It also means a home game in the CFP.
Can he get us to the championship game?
I don't think so. I think a trip to the semifinals would be a huge win for him, for Penn State, and for all of us.
Hopefully that will give him enough juice to raise the level of his recruiting and bag some of those five-star kids he flirts with every year. Then maybe we can really have that championship season.
Steve Abrams
Los Angeles
Hope springs eternal; or does it?
Hope springs eternal this year but with our annual O-line problems and once again questionable wide receiver room, I'm seeing 9-3 or 8-4.
If that's the outcome, no playoffs.
Look out for WVU and their Trace McSorley like QB. And with other games on the road in Madison, Minnesota, USC and Ohio State at home, it's a tough road to hoe.
I will pray I'm wrong.
Tim Muri
Naperville, Ill.