I sit here on the eve of another college football season as a lifelong avid Alabama fan. However, I love all college football. The atmosphere, the young kids, the alumni in town and the smell of autumn in the air brings back so many memories.

For many years I pulled against Penn State in those epic battles that Bear Bryant had with Joe Paterno, and the last few years of tough, hard-fought games. This year I, as many of my fellow Alabama fans will be watching closely those young men in those “ugly uniforms,” as we always said. I think what Jerry Sandusky did was horrible, and I hope he rots in prison.

I know there were many breakdowns in the chain of authority at Penn State. However I believe that the NCAA has and will be punishing the wrong ones. I wish Penn State would stand up for itself and fire back. You may not win but you need to fight those sanctions. Money is one thing, but to punish 18-22-year-old student-athletes for the next five years who had nothing to do with those actions is simply wrong. I could go on, but I must get to my closet and pull out my Bama hat, and game day jersey.

Know when those kids and that tremendous coaching staff take the field today, I will forget about the Crimson Tide for a while. I will rise up out of my recliner and, with tears in my eyes, I will — for the next three hours — be a Nittany Lion.

God bless you guys!

George Dixon Perdido Key Fla.