Meeting their Penn State legend 30 years later

Husband and wife came to York Area Sports Night to celebrate one of their best times.

They stood in the winding line Thursday afternoon in the Terrace Room of the Heritage Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center and waited.

Sure, they knew Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bruce Sutter was at one of the other tables. And that Pro Football Hall of Famer John Randle would soon be signing autographs at yet another.

And, of course, they admire former Penn State receiver and returner Derrick Williams for helping spark the program comeback in 2005.

But the guy sitting next to him?

There's an entirely different set of feelings reserved for Shane Conlan, the former NFL Rookie of the Year and College Football Hall of Fame member — who may always be their biggest Penn State hero.

Just check out what Jody Bowman, 53, brought to be signed: a 30-year-old black-and-white photo of her standing next to Conlan during his last Sports Night appearance in York.

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Conlan was fresh off leading the Lions to their second national title in an epic defensive showdown against the Miami Hurricanes.

"One of the best linebackers they ever had," Bob Bowman, 54, said simply.

That didn't matter so much to his wife.

"I think it was just his tenacity and love for the game," she said. "I always felt it was so important everything he gave. I just drew to him."

When she finally made it to Conlan Thursday, she placed the photo in front of him, said a few words and the linebacker legend stood up and gave her a hug.

Afterward, the East Manchester Township resident was a bit jittery as she tried to catch her breath, almost as if she held a winning lottery ticket. She talked about how 30 years ago she and Bob were newly married and were just becoming big Penn State football fans.

They wanted to go to the Fiesta Bowl and watch the Nittany Lions win a national title but couldn't afford it.

Since, they've rooted for Conlan from afar, during his career with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. They gradually became die-hard Penn State fans, too, attending games in Beaver Stadium every fall and even going to a few bowls, including the 2006 Orange Bowl.

"I always wanted that picture signed," Jody Bowman said. "He's still my favorite player. I love Trace (McSorley). I love Saquon (Barkley). I love all of the kids, they're awesome. But no one has ever come up to Shane Conlan for me."

Meanwhile, Conlan politely accompanied each autograph request with smiles and small talk. The signings went steady for most of two hours.

He doesn't work in football anymore, really hasn't since his playing days stopped. He doesn't get to many Penn State games, either, as his two sons complete their own college careers as a quarterback and a receiver, if you can believe it.

"They didn't get the angry gene," he said with a laugh.

He said he doesn't do many public appearances anymore but is still stunned by the outpouring of good feelings when fans greet him after so many years.

"It's incredible. You ever want to feel good about yourself come to a place like here or State College," Conlan said. "People don't forget. I guarantee they don't have this at other schools. The greatest fans out there."

Fans plopped down Sports Illustrated magazines from his glory days. They talked about how that Fiesta Bowl was the greatest game they ever saw. One man said he has Conlan's signature on a football after he won rookie of the year.

And Conlan said he clearly remembers coming to the old Central York High in 1987 to do that Sports Night show.

Of course, that black-and-white photo with Bowman stopped him for a few seconds longer than most. He broke out in a big smile marveling at his head of hair.

"He's still a class act," Bob Bowman said.

"He's still Shane Conlan," his wife said with a smile.