UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Among the many sights and sounds from Penn State's Wednesday afternoon practice, perhaps one aspect that stood out was former running back Journey Brown in attendance.
"Yeah, he comes out he comes out a lot," head coach James Franklin said about Brown's presence at practices. "I'd like for him to be here every single day."
After being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brown medically retired from football in November of 2020.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Brown started 10 games for the Nittany Lions and led the team with 890 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brown's versatility made him one of Penn State's most explosive weapons on offense.
In spite of an abrupt ending to such a decorated playing career, Brown remains committed to all things regarding the program and university, especially his teammates and academic ambitions.
"You know, obviously academically, he's got a lot on his plate," Franklin said. "It's really important to me that he graduates from Penn State, so really working hard at that and I know he is as well."
"When he comes out here it just lightens up the mood," offensive lineman Juice Scruggs said about Brown. "It's always good to see him."
Senior PJ Mustipher's role as an interior presence for Nittany Lions this season was also cut short when he sustained an injury in the first quarter of a loss at Iowa. But even after leaving that game, Mustipher was not refused to let it diminish his responsibility as a team captain.
Later that evening, Mustipher returned to the sideline and has served as an outspoken leader there ever since.
"He's been at everything," Franklin said. "Right now he's on one of those — it's kind of like what you see the people in the mall kind of whip around on, those little go karts, or whatever the heck they're called. He's whipping around at practice, he's at the meetings, he's at everything. I just saw him in a training room, he was on the bike and looked great, and had a huge smile on his face.
Senior linebacker and defensive end Jesse Luketa also commended Mustipher for his continued support of the team despite a season-ending injury.
"It's been great having PJ out there. He has such a strong presence as far as his leadership and everything. Just his presence, being on the sideline...it's a joy to have."
As Mustipher remains a valuable asset for the Nittany Lions moving forward, he and Brown have only further demonstrated that the Penn State program's brotherhood knows no limits.
