Ralph Wilson / AP

Joe Paterno has won 394 games at Penn State.

updated 4:39 p.m. ET Aug. 10, 2010

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has been nominated for the highest civilian award in the country.

Congressmen including Glenn Thompson, Mark Critz and Tim Holden say the Hall of Fame coach deserves a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service to the Nittany Lions, the university and the State College community.

Their nomination letter to President Barack Obama says Paterno personifies sportsmanship on the field and academic achievement in the classroom while also noting Paterno's philanthropic efforts.

Paterno's 394 career victories are most among major college coaches.

A spokesman for Critz says Critz and Holden were approached by House staffers who are Penn State graduates to nominate Paterno and Thompson helped lead the effort. Thompson's district includes State College, about 150 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

More news

Cathleen Allison / AP

A worthy honor

CFT: The University of Nevada is honoring longtime coach Chris Ault, who stepped down in the fall, by renaming the school's football field after him.

Getty Images

CFT: Detroit Lions planning to create bowl game

CFT: The Detroit Lions are expected to own and operate their own bowl game at Ford Field, starting play in 2014, according to a report by ESPN.

Headlines

• Label

CFT: Manziel shows his accuracy while blindfolded

CFT: Ex-UM coach says SEC violations go unreported

CFT: Arkansas QB Mitchell transferring to NC State

CFT: Suspended Tide WR transferring to S. Alabama

CFT: Syracuse will retire McNabb's number

CFT: Tulane coaches help senior receiver transfer

DPS: Saban hurt by colleagues' comments?

CFT: FSU four-star recruit cleared by NCAA