About this item
The 1982 Penn State national championship team was not only one of Joe Paterno's best, it was one of the best teams college football has ever seen. In When the Lions Roared, Bill Contz, one of the squad's offensive linemen, details that special season and the experience of playing for a legendary coach. Featuring dozens of interviews with former players, this book provides anecdotes from the epic contests of that season while also proving statistically why this Nittany Lions team stands up against all of the talented teams that came before and after. Also featuring a foreword and reflections by Todd Blackledge, Penn State's 1982 starting quarterback, this is an essential read for Nittany Lions faithful.
About the Author
I am former Nittany Lion player who spent six years in the NFL. My first literary effort chronicles a 15-game odyssey that culminates with Penn State's win over Georgia in the 1983 Sugar Bowl and the school's first-ever national championship. The book details inside-the-locker-room stories, poignant reflections on Joe Paterno and a compelling argument as to where this team ranks among other elite teams in college football history. ESPN's Todd Blackledge offers the Foreward along with his own uniquely insightful observations about his experiences leading this team to the national title. My website, www.billcontzpsu.com, is chock full of rare photos, fun facts and data that provides a fresh new look at criteria that helps differentiate between national champions from both past and present. It's a nostalgic walk down memory lane which takes fans back to a time when Penn State truly was one of the most dominant programs in college football. I think it makes for a rather entertaining read and hope you do too. Enjoy!
