Penn State coach Joe Paterno’s trademark thick-rimmed glasses net $9,000 at charity auction

Penn State coach’s glasses net $9,000 for charity

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Two Penn State graduates are paying $9,000 for a chance to see through Hall of Fame football coach Joe Paterno’s trademark thick-rimmed glasses.

The bid from Michelle and Kevin Coppola won an auction for a pair of spectacles donated by the Nittany Lions coach, who’s famous for wearing his glasses on the sidelines — along with his rolled-up khakis and jet-black sneakers.

The farsighted Paterno had eye surgery last month to improve his vision. The 83-year-old still needs glasses to read, though he appears to be done wearing the Coke bottle-thick glasses.

A spokesman for Paterno says the timing of the surgery and the auction was a coincidence.

The auction benefited Penn State Public Broadcasting. It started online and wrapped up at a dinner Saturday.

Paterno leads major college football coaches with 394 career victories.