Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford wins award; Todd Blackledge makes NBC move official: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Feb. 3 are headlined by a pair of former Nittany Lion quarterbacks — Sean Clifford and Todd Blackledge — plus much more.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with an honor for Sean Clifford. The four-year Penn State starter who capped his career with a tremendous performance in the Rose Bowl was named the 22nd Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award on Thursday. He is one of the many award winners who will be honored at the 86th Maxwell Football Club National Awards ceremony in March. Clifford is currently training for the NFL Draft and participated in the NFLPA Bowl earlier this year.
In other Clifford news, the State College Spikes, which is part of the MLB Draft League, will hold a “Sean Clifford Retirement Party” on July 15. A Clifford bobblehead will be given away in addition to a “1923 team photo” that Clifford is photoshopped into, “which will show just how long Sean Clifford has been a part of our lives,” according to a press release. The fun also includes gifts for the longtime Lions quarterback. Per the same press release:
“With his sunset years on the horizon, the Spikes and Lion Country Kia will be presenting Sean with an array of gifts and activities to prepare him for old age. Of course, in true Spikes fashion, one “LuCKy” fan will also be receiving each of them, with some of the items including a Rocking Chair Giveaway, a Florida “Snowbird” Trip Giveaway (complete with one-way airline ticket for the retiree) and a Year’s Supply of Adult Diapers.”
In other news, former Lions passer Todd Blackledge is officially moving from ABC to NBC. He joins the network’s lead broadcast crew for Big Ten games. He’ll do color commentary alongside play-by-play man Noah Eagle and sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.
Headlines of the day
Penn State’s tight end picture has changed: The 2022 top three are now a 2023 big two: Flounders, PennLive
Penn State produces East-West Shrine Bowl practice standouts: Bauer, BWI
No. 1 Penn State Visits Ohio State Seeking 40th Straight Dual Win: Wogenrich, SI
Todd Blackledge posts heartfelt goodbye To ESPN: Forde, Athlon Sports
How did the Penn State Class of 2023 come together? Timeline of commits, recapping decommits, and more: Pickel, BWI
Quarterback dominoes: Top 2024 passers flying off the board: Pope, On3
Penn State wrestling notes: Some clarity at 125, Cael Sanderson on pulling Levi Haines’ redshirt, and more: Pickel, BWI
Penn State Football: A Decade of Recruiting Spending: Jones, Statecollege.com
Quote of the day
“I think Coach Traut and Coach Franklin did an excellent job with just being themselves, being genuine. They were never trying to sell Chimdy on a dream. More importantly, they recruited Chimdy as a young man and as an individual. I think that really paid dividends in their recruitment for him. I think they did a great job.”
