Jordan Hill: Part 1, off the field

If you know anything about me you know that Penn State is my life, people can say what they want about us and they can write whatever they want about us, but they can't take away the fact that I am Penn State and WE are Penn State. This summer I learned a lot more about what that meant. I had the opportunity to work with Penn State senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill. It's an opportunity I'm very thankful for. I got to know the Jordan outside of football, when the camera's weren't on, when the media wasn't in his face 24/7, and that Jordan is in one word, quiet. I was sitting at home one night and got a call from Jordan, the first thing he said to me was "you wanna move in?". That was when former teammate and roommate Justin Brown decided to transfer to Oklahoma. I quickly said yes because why would I want to pass up an opportunity to better myself by learning from someone who has dealt with so much negativity. To me it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I sat down with Jordan and asked him some questions about everything that's gone on and his mindset going forward. I asked what his initial reaction was to the sanctions, he simply said "here we go again", a reaction he said that many players had. They didn't quite understand what exactly was going on until Head Coach Bill O'Brien broke it down for them. When I asked what he first thought of the hiring of O'Brien he said he didn't know much about him, "once Coach (Larry) Johnson called me and told me who he was I was on board and ready to go". Hill has been on board through and through, asking him why stay at Penn State, "I stayed for my teammates, I stayed to help the University, I stayed because I love Penn State". People have expectations for Penn State this year, some think we might win 8 games, others think we win 5, that's fine with Hill because he has his own expectations for his team and himself; "go out and play as hard as we can, execute our game plan, and win every game. Off the field, graduate. On the field, Big Ten Player of the Year, All Big Ten First Team, and First Team All American". Jordan is poised to have a big year, many project him as a potential first round pick. He isn't worried about that though, he just wants to go out and play. He describes himself as "quiet", "soft spoken, and "humble", which if you didn't know him you might not think it. People give athletes a label that they aren't regular people, I got to hang out with Jordan the night the sanctions were announced and when I came over he was relaxing playing some Playstation, something normal people do. He isn't one to flaunt himself like other athletes, he doesn't care much for the spotlight. Talking to him at work one day he I said "a lot of people don't know who you are, you've kind of been overshadowed in your career", he replied with "that's fine with me, I'll let my game speak for itself". When number 47 runs onto the field I'll be happy to say that's my roommate. Penn State heads into this 2012 season with new things everywhere you turn. This year it's going to matter what the name on the back says because those are the ones who decided to stay and help Penn State get through this beyond difficult time. Bill O'Brien has his hands full this year but Hill said he is the right guy to do it and nothing is going to phase him. The excitement level in Happy Valley is something I've never seen before, the town is standing behind this team every step of the way, and I'm truly honored for have two of these men as roommates. The motto for the season is "One Team" and that will be in full force come Saturday when Ohio University comes to Beaver Stadium. Take a minute and close your eyes, think about what the first "We Are" chant will feel like, got chills? I do.