The Whisperer Remembers ... Ray Isom.

At the conclusion of the 1986 season, the Miami Hurricanes were the presumptive national champions. The only thing that stood in the way of them and the trophy presentation was Penn State, the team with the boring uniforms and the equally boring personality. Penn State was an independent and lacked the firepower to stick with the likes of Michael Irvin, Brian Blades, Melvin Bratton, Alonzo Highsmith and Heisman Trophy Winner Vinny Testaverde…but somebody forgot to tell the Penn State defense…and this guy.

When the game began, he knew he would have to be the one to make the statement and announce that the Nittany Lions came to play…not lie down like so many of the Hurricane opponents had done that year. And boy did he ever…blowing up Miami receiver Brian Blades as he came over the middle, alerting those in attendance and others watching around the world that the boys from PA were here to play.

The night was never the same after that play and Penn State…not Miami, the presumptive favorite…was the team standing on the podium, holding the trophy. Yes, Penn State won and this man, a safety standing 5’9 and weighing 180 lbs. led the way. I guess big things do come in little packages so today, let’s start small and end big as we celebrate the greatness of former Penn State Safety supreme…Mr. Ray Isom.