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Penn State Football Roundup: Tamba Hali visits, a former Lion passes away

By Justin Grasso

KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Outside linebacker Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs enters the field during pre game introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: Outside linebacker Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs enters the field during pre game introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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The Penn State football program had a busy, but rough week as they lost one of their former players recently.

A happy and eventful week turned into an upsetting one quickly for the Penn State football program. After having one of their better recruiting weeks for the month, landing eight commitments in a matter of seven days, Nittany Lions nation found out that one of their former players have lost their battle with cancer after a year’s worth of fighting.

Former Penn State running back Mike Gasparato was diagnosed with cancer last year. After many complications dealing with the disease, Gasparato was given six weeks to live. Fortunately, he was able to make it past a year before his sickness got the best of him. He was only 37-years-old.

For those who don’t know, Gasparato joined the Nittany Lions in the 2000 recruiting class. He played running back, primarily known for his role as backing up legendary Lions running back, Larry Johnson. He would remain with the Lions for four seasons, but couldn’t complete his extra season from redshirting as he called it quits after suffering from a severe ankle injury.

A former Lions player visits the campus

What does a major University like Penn State do when they want to motivate their newcomers? Bring in a legend. On Thursday, former Penn State and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Tamba Hali made his way back to Happy Valley this weekend.

The purpose of Hali’s visit was to come and talk to the newest addition to the Nittany Lions for the 2019 season. Whenever a program can get a former All-American, and First-Team All-Big Ten player in the building to motivate, they should one-hundred percent do it.

https://twitter.com/PennStateFball/status/1144324078578413574

These young players have a lot to learn before they take the field in 2019, but the knowledge from the former Nittany Lions’ defender could help them get some valuable insight. Not only on-field knowledge though — overall knowledge for being a student-athlete as well.

dark. Next. Another four-star DB could be in the mix soon

Hali is the perfect example for this Freshman class. He managed to get a degree from Penn State, become a first-round pick in the NFL, was named an All-Pro twice, and voted into the Pro Bowl five times. It’s not every day a player manages to play in 12 successful seasons in the NFL. But Hali did it, and his words of wisdom could help these kids do it too,

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