Former Penn State QB Sean Clifford isn’t at “retirement age,” but it feels like it.
Plenty of people— including Clifford’s old coach, James Franklin— have made jokes exaggerating how old Clifford is.
“I’m going to check the picture of that Rose Bowl played 100 years ago and make sure Sean isn’t in it,” Franklin told reporters at a pre-Rose Bowl press conference Dec. 4, “because he’s been playing football at Penn State for a long time.”
There are plenty more jokes to choose from.
Seems like just yesterday you showed up on campus.
One hell of a run and a lot to be proud of! Love you bud 🎯 @seancliff14 pic.twitter.com/cNyT685Kh8
— Danny O'Brien (@DannyOBrienQB) November 27, 2022
Sean Clifford posting “Dreams DO come true” with a picture of him in front of the Rose Bowl when he was 10 years old (and Allar busting his balls in the comments) — that’s the good shit. pic.twitter.com/X9BMk9NVlq
— Kevin Horne (@KevinHornePSU) December 4, 2022
In reality, Clifford is 24 years old and will be 25 July 14. He was part of Penn State’s program and ended his career in January with a win over Utah in the Rose Bowl, and the game’s offensive MVP honors.
The day after Clifford turns 25, the State College Spikes are set to honor him him with a “retirement party” and bobblehead giveaway.
You're invited to the Sean Clifford Retirement Party on July 15, featuring a Sean Clifford Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans thanks to Lion Country Kia!
Share in plenty of gifts & activities, including the 1923 Team Photo – more info at https://t.co/S7GJOdOQ5Z pic.twitter.com/AzxQUfKKDx
— State College Spikes (@SCSpikes) February 2, 2023
The first 1,000 fans will get bobbleheads courtesy of Lion Country Kia. Fans will also receive a copy of the 1923 Penn State team photo that Franklin jokingly said Clifford may have been in.
Sean Clifford wasn’t alive in 1923– in fact, he wouldn’t be born for another 75 years— but he did start at Penn State for four seasons. In that time, he broke numerous school records. Clifford is Penn State’s all-time leader in touchdown passes, passing yards and completions. Clifford passed his predecessor, Trace McSorley, in all three categories this past season. Clifford became a polarizing figure amongst Penn State fans. Some loved him for his dedication to the program. Others respected said dedication but didn’t care for his quarterbacking abilities. Others couldn’t stand him.
Nonetheless, one can expect that he’ll be cheered by the State College Faithful come July, weeks before Penn State starts its first training camp without him since 2016.
