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Only Curt Warner Until Penn State Football

From one great Penn State running back to another

Penn State Nittany Lions Curt Warner Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Yesterday we profiled one of the greatest running backs in Penn State history, Saquon Barkley, as part of our march toward kickoff against Wisconsin.

Today, because I am nothing if not a man of the people, we will honor another.

With just 25 days until kick in Camp Randall, today we look back at the career of all-time great Penn State running back Curt Warner.

Warner, a West Virginia native who attended a high school with a graduating class of just 90 students, dazzled in the backfield for the Nittany Lions. A two-time All-American, he helped Penn State to its first ever national title in 1983, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs and current wingnut Herschel Walker in the Sugar Bowl.

When Warner left Penn State, he held 42 school records and he still sits third all-time in rushing behind Evan Royster and Saquon Barkley.

Warner was no flash in the pan, either, as he went on to make three pro bowls as a member of the Seattle Seahawks after being selected third overall in the 1983 NFL Draft. Twice he was named the AFC offensive player of the year and he’s now a member of the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor.

He is the currently running backs coach at Camas High School Washington and founder and president of the Curt Warner Autism Foundation. His son Jonathan was a wide receiver for the Nittany Lions in 2012 and 2013 and had the honor of being a member of one of my business classes. Lucky guy.