PHILADELPHIA — Penn State football coach Joe Paterno returned to the playing field on Saturday – but only for pre-game warm-ups.
Paterno was on the field at Lincoln Financial Field for about 15 minutes before his Nittany Lions were to take on the Temple Owls at noon in Philadelphia.
Paterno was hospitalized in early August after suffering shoulder and pelvic injuries when he was hit and knocked to the ground by receiver Devon Smith during summer drills at Penn State.
The first games of the 2011 season, both played in Beaver Stadium, Paterno spent the game in the press box. Last week against Alabama, he did not go on the field at all.
Paterno was wearing his trademark blue and white windbreaker, tan khakis and black Nike coaching shoes. He was walking with his cane, which was held by a PSU staffer (who kept it behind in his back Paterno’s entire time on the field).
Paterno was on the field for about 15 minutes, meeting Temple coach Steve Adazzio at the 45-yard line for a three-minute chat.
Then Paterno walked to Penn State’s sideline, located on the west side of The Linc. The 84-year-old coach stood about five yards off the playing field, far away from the Penn State players, who were in warm-ups.
Much of the time Paterno stood alone, his hands in his pockets.
Then, accompanied by PSU director of football operations Tom Venturino and a Linc security guard large enough to start for the Eagles, Paterno slowly walked along the sideline to the south end.
He waved once, then went into the south end tunnel to the locker rooms. And from there, to the Penn State coaches box, high above the field.
