Heartbreak Helped Kill Joe Paterno
Loss of his job may have hastened his death from
cancer.
Summary: Officially, Penn State U. coach Joe Paterno died
of lung cancer. In 65 days metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung
worked its way through his body.
But it is his heart that is dominating the news of his demise. For 62 years
he was involved in coaching at Penn State, a record in college football.
It was more than a job for him; it became his lifeblood. Former coaches
are saying Paterno died of a broken heart.
Ex-Nebraska coach Tom Osborne suggested the emotional turmoil
surrounding Paterno’s firing may have played into his death, and former
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said, “You can die of heartbreak.
I’m sure Joe had some heartbreak, too,”
There is scientific evidence that parts of a person may die when access
to the supply of “lifeblood” is cut off. Scientists studying people widowed
after age 55 discovered they had a 40% greater risk of dying during the
first six months after bereavement. Even people as young as 35
apparently have a 20-35% increased risk of dying from a heart attack
within the first six months after the funeral of their spouse.
For Joe Paterno, his work was something like another spouse. Why else
would he be coaching at age 85? It certainly wasn’t for the money.
While lung cancer may have taken his life, his lack of fight may well
have hurried it along.
(Photo from Wikipedia, credited to Ben Stanfield.)
To read the entire article, click on CAFEMOM.
Comment: Probably most of us know of one or more situations where a
man or woman dies shortly after his/her spouse has passed away.
There surely is something to the idea that a loss of the will to live can
hasten death.
However, there may have been more to Joe Paterno’s apparently
reduced will to live than just the loss of his “other spouse” — his
longtime job as coach. For one thing, his cancer may have been making
him very uncomfortable. Also, he may have had to deal with severe
feelings of guilt over not doing more sooner to turn in his assistant
coach, who has been charged with serious moral failings. In addition,
the whole sordid affair was a serious cause of embarrassment for the
legendary coach whose reputation has been tarnished.
I am sure we all hope that Joe Paterno was a believer in Jesus Christ as
his Savior, although perhaps his faith may not have been quite as
strong as it could have been. Christians realize that whatever
occupations God has provided us here on earth will eventually end.
Then we can look forward to an everlasting period of joyful service in
heaven. So no earthbound job should really have such a strong hold on
us.
Guilt? Christians confess their sins and know God has removed all their
guilt. “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ — and you
forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Embarrassment? Any
embarrassment we may feel should begin melting away when we see
ourselves as Christians first. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because
it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes”
(Romans 1:16).
Our prayers are needed for all those caught up in this sad story,
including Mrs. Paterno, the assistant coach who has been charged, and
those harmed by his alleged indiscretions. May they all find the heartfelt
peace which our Savior offers to all who follow Him (Philippians 4:7).
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
What’s happening regarding strokes among younger Americans?
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Loss of his job may have hastened his death from
cancer.
Summary: Officially, Penn State U. coach Joe Paterno died
of lung cancer. In 65 days metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung
worked its way through his body.
But it is his heart that is dominating the news of his demise. For 62 years
he was involved in coaching at Penn State, a record in college football.
It was more than a job for him; it became his lifeblood. Former coaches
are saying Paterno died of a broken heart.
Ex-Nebraska coach Tom Osborne suggested the emotional turmoil
surrounding Paterno’s firing may have played into his death, and former
Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said, “You can die of heartbreak.
I’m sure Joe had some heartbreak, too,”
There is scientific evidence that parts of a person may die when access
to the supply of “lifeblood” is cut off. Scientists studying people widowed
after age 55 discovered they had a 40% greater risk of dying during the
first six months after bereavement. Even people as young as 35
apparently have a 20-35% increased risk of dying from a heart attack
within the first six months after the funeral of their spouse.
For Joe Paterno, his work was something like another spouse. Why else
would he be coaching at age 85? It certainly wasn’t for the money.
While lung cancer may have taken his life, his lack of fight may well
have hurried it along.
(Photo from Wikipedia, credited to Ben Stanfield.)
To read the entire article, click on CAFEMOM.
Comment: Probably most of us know of one or more situations where a
man or woman dies shortly after his/her spouse has passed away.
There surely is something to the idea that a loss of the will to live can
hasten death.
However, there may have been more to Joe Paterno’s apparently
reduced will to live than just the loss of his “other spouse” — his
longtime job as coach. For one thing, his cancer may have been making
him very uncomfortable. Also, he may have had to deal with severe
feelings of guilt over not doing more sooner to turn in his assistant
coach, who has been charged with serious moral failings. In addition,
the whole sordid affair was a serious cause of embarrassment for the
legendary coach whose reputation has been tarnished.
I am sure we all hope that Joe Paterno was a believer in Jesus Christ as
his Savior, although perhaps his faith may not have been quite as
strong as it could have been. Christians realize that whatever
occupations God has provided us here on earth will eventually end.
Then we can look forward to an everlasting period of joyful service in
heaven. So no earthbound job should really have such a strong hold on
us.
Guilt? Christians confess their sins and know God has removed all their
guilt. “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ — and you
forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Embarrassment? Any
embarrassment we may feel should begin melting away when we see
ourselves as Christians first. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because
it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes”
(Romans 1:16).
Our prayers are needed for all those caught up in this sad story,
including Mrs. Paterno, the assistant coach who has been charged, and
those harmed by his alleged indiscretions. May they all find the heartfelt
peace which our Savior offers to all who follow Him (Philippians 4:7).
PRINT (Black type on white background)
***************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new
post? Just e-mail your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
***************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What’s happening regarding strokes among younger Americans?
***************************************************************************
0 Comments
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: The visitor comments box on this
site has been temporarily removed because of an inordinate amount
of spam coming through it. We still invite your comments, but
please either (1) e-mail your comments using our e-mail address
(admin@lutheranscience.org) remembering to indicate the date of the
post on which you want your comments to appear or (2) use the
blogspot site by clicking on the link at the top of the page. Sorry for
any inconvenience.
Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 Prefer to read this post in Blogspot? Click Here. PRINT
Although hospitalizations for strokes among
seniors has declined, stroke hospitalizations rose
51% for men ages 35 to 44 and 29% for women
ages 35 to 44. The likely reasons: obesity,
diabetes and hypertension, which all have
increased in this age group.
Source: Mary George, MD, quoted in Bottom
Line Personal (1/1/12)
seniors has declined, stroke hospitalizations rose
51% for men ages 35 to 44 and 29% for women
ages 35 to 44. The likely reasons: obesity,
diabetes and hypertension, which all have
increased in this age group.
Source: Mary George, MD, quoted in Bottom
Line Personal (1/1/12)
The opinions expressed
here are those of The
Editor and do not
necessarily represent
the views of the Lutheran
Science Institute. Please
note that links in older
posts may be broken.
here are those of The
Editor and do not
necessarily represent
the views of the Lutheran
Science Institute. Please
note that links in older
posts may be broken.
About Me - Warren Krug
The Editor
Decades ago I attended a
so-called Lutheran
university where I could
have lost my faith. The
science professors promoted
the theory of evolution and
made fun of anybody who
believed in the account of
creation as presented in
the book of Genesis.
Thanks be to God, some
creationist literature and
the Bible soon helped get
me back on the right track.
Ever since then I have
taken an active interest in
the creation/evolution
controversy.
Background image from NASA
The Editor
Decades ago I attended a
so-called Lutheran
university where I could
have lost my faith. The
science professors promoted
the theory of evolution and
made fun of anybody who
believed in the account of
creation as presented in
the book of Genesis.
Thanks be to God, some
creationist literature and
the Bible soon helped get
me back on the right track.
Ever since then I have
taken an active interest in
the creation/evolution
controversy.
Background image from NASA
