Both men were joking. They truly like each other. You could tell by how they spoke about each other this week. They praised, they nudged, they joked, a crotchety father and his silly son, history bumping up against the future, arms thrown over shoulders, laughing at the wonder of it all.
Says Carroll: "A couple of times I have followed Joe into a living room during recruiting, and all I could say to the player's family was, 'What was he like? What did he say?' I mean, I'm really a huge fan."
Says Paterno: "That kid's got it going on, doesn't he?"
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They first met several years ago at a reception.
Says Carroll: "Joe and his wife were the life of the party. Dancing and singing, a real kick. I had no idea."
Says Paterno: "I remember that. But it was Pete and his wife who were the fun ones."
They will meet again today, and here's hoping we see it.
Here's hoping that Paterno makes it down to the field soon after the game, and that Carroll sticks around long enough to greet him, no losers, all winners, especially those lucky enough to be watching.
It would be quite a post-game hug, no? The granddaddy of them all.
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bill.plaschke@latimes.com
