We all know that Penn State is known as Linebacker U, but the pedigree of running backs at PSU takes a back seat to none just the same. And as we continue this 44 for 44 series, we take a look at someone who might just be the best back in Penn State history.  Today’s profile is written by John Amatuzio, who has an incredible personal experience to share.

Back in the days of unheralded recruiting radar screens and non-existent star rating services, Curt Warner was courted from Pineville, West Virginia, to play football at State and became a Lion the old fashioned way. No press conference hats to toss or wear, no last minute text messages from rival coaches to try and sway him elsewhere etc. He simply joined the roster like so many before him did. Little did anyone know Curt would explode and literally dominate the college football world despite the Penn State way of doing things, all buisness, no frills or PR fan fare.  How many readers can throw back time sitting in Beaver Stadium on any given Saturday during the early 80′s, having then 85,000 plus fans fill Happy Valley with that rumbling chant of “W-A-R-N-E-R, W-A-R-N-E-R!” That in itself speaks volumes for the fondness, appreciation and respect we all have for Curt as a Nittany Lion.

As early as his freshman year, Curt was anchoring the ground game duties for the Nits in big ways, and only continued that dominance throughout his career. With 18 100-yard games, Warner also had incredible single game statistics, like 341 all purpose yards vs. Syracuse, 256 of that on the ground and 280 total yards against Rutgers as a couple examples. In his career amassed 4,982 total yards from scrimmage, 3398 on the ground—both Penn State records.  With Cat like elusiveness, whiplash wrenching shifty moves and breakaway speed, Curt set the standard for all running backs who would follow him. In each of Warner’s last two seasons, he was an All-American.

The shining culmination and perhaps most famous moment for Curt was the Nits first (recognized) National Championship victory over Georgia in the 83′ Sugar Bowl outshining Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker. Warner rushed for 117 yards and scored two touchdowns that memorable and magical night.

It was the capper on a memorable career, that saw him rewrite the history books, setting 42 Penn State records during his college careers.

From there Curt Warner went on to the NFL and  Seattle Seahawks carving out AFC Rookie of the Year honors, All Pro accolades, and a stellar pro career that saw him make his mark on the NFL just as he had done the NCAA.

But as for me, Curt’s NFL career led him on a direct course right into my life.

In 1986, I was receiving an experimental treatment—a bone marrow transplant for my leukemia.  Being one of the few Nittany Lion fans in Seattle, it was nothing more than serendipity that Warner had been drafted by the Seahawks three years earlier. But luckier for me, one of the social workers noticed the Penn State football merchandise lining the room and worked her magic, scheduling an early-season visit from the Seahawks to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Unfortunately, though, that group didn’t include Curt. The players that showed up were gracious and boosted my spirits for sure but I couldn’t help but ask them were Curt was. They covered for him, saying that he was tied up with some football related matters but promised they would pass along my regards.

It was a few hours after the team members had left and all was calm, relatively speaking. But that all changed when I heard a cluster of growing noise and distant chitter chatter in the hallways, getting closer and closer to my room. I never knew whether those sounds would translate into good news or bad, so I was wary of impending drama.

But lo and behold it was Curt himself, stopping in to visit me for a spell!  I was totally blown away to say the least that he was able to break away and take some time for me one on one, and just talk. We spoke mostly about Penn State football of course, but also some about his years in the NFL, and some funny JoePa stories.  But we also just shot the breeze, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish, as simple and thoughtful as it was.

We all know how rare it is these days to actually see something like this happen. After what seemed like an entire afternoon Curt ended his stay and we wished each other well, off on our own paths but still both Nittany Lions like many of us.

Now, Curt was just honored into the College Hall of Fame this past July, and currently runs his own car dealership in Vancouver, Washington. He still keeps himself active in football, coaching running backs of course on the high school level. And he’s the president of Curt Warner’s Autism Foundation, working to help treat and support families who’ve been affected by autism.  That’s very fitting for a guy who came from a small town to come full circle so to speak. After all the greatness and touching of so many people’s lives, he stays humble and grounded, making Nittany Lion fans Penn State Proud. Curt Warner, a legend and a class act.

To read more about John’s incredible battle with cancer, you can read his book Does the Sun Shine in Heaven: One Man’s Battle with Cancer. Our sincere thanks to John for sharing this story.