STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- More than 200 Penn State football lettermen petitioned the university on Tuesday for the return of an iconic bronze Joe Paterno statue that was removed in the summer of 2012 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.The former players and coaches, who span every decade since the 1950s, also made two other demands: return the wall that rested behind the statue and celebrated Penn State accomplishments, and issue a formal apology to Paternos widow.Joe Paterno has been cast in a negative light, the letter writer, former tight end/punter Brian Masella, told ESPN, and were trying to correct that narrative. The university has ignored us over and over again.The university released a statement in response to the letter, saying, We appreciate the passion of our former Penn State lettermen for Coach Joe Paterno and the football program, and thank them for their input and many contributions/achievements. We recognize that this is emotional for many in the Penn State community, many of whom differ, yet feel strongly about this issue.The Universitys leadership has clearly indicated that there will be a time and place to acknowledge Coach Joe Paternos many contributions. Any plans by the president to reach out to the Paterno family will be done privately.The statue has been a lightning rod of controversy since its removal four years ago. Fans continue to leave flowers and knickknacks at the former site of the statue, and many see the statue as a symbol of Paternos legacy.Masella said the lettermen are not looking to compromise and would not be satisfied if the statue appeared elsewhere on campus, such as the All-Sports Museum inside the football stadium. The statue is currently out of sight in what the university has previously referred to as a secure location.Our feeling is it should go back where it was located on Porter Road, Masella said.Former Penn State players who added their names to the letter include Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny and 1973 Heisman winner John Cappelletti. Cheap MLB Jerseys From China . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Wholesale Nike MLB Jerseys .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. https://www.mlbjerseyschina.us/ . 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If Gio Gonzalez returns to form, the NL East race may soon develop into a runaway.Gonzalez pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Trea Turner and Wilson Ramos homered and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Friday night in a matchup of first-place teams.Washington jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Jeff Samardzija (9-8), and Gonzalez made it stand up in arguably his finest outing of the season.Coming off a tough 3-1 loss in San Francisco on Sunday, Gonzalez (7-9) struck out seven, walked one and had five three-up, three-down innings.Gonzalezs ERA grew to 4.81 at the end of June, but hes brought it down to 4.13 after four consecutive starts with two or fewer earned runs allowed. Hes won three of those four starts.In a rotation that features Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and 11-game winner Tanner Roark, Gonzalez knows he has to be good to compete.Im just trying to keep up with the rest of the guys, Gonzalez said.On this night, the left-hander was as effective as any of them. The only hits he allowed were a solo homer by Angel Pagan in the fourth and a single by Denard Span in the sixth.He had good command, had his changeup working, an occasional breaking ball and he threw his fastball in and out, manager Dusty Baker said.Sammy Solis gave up two hits in the eighth and Mark Melancon got three straight outs to complete the four-hitter.It was the fourth straight win for the Nationals, who came in with a seven-game lead over Miami in the NL East.The Giants remain atop the NL West, though their lead is dwindling. Since the All-Star break, San Francisco is 5-14 and has scored two runs or fewer in nine of those games.Theyre going to come out of it, manager Bruce Bochy said. It better be sooner rather than later. We better get some good swings.Samardzija has certainly contributed to the slide. The right-hander gave up five runs in seven innings and is 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in his four starts since the break.dddddddddddd.They got some good at-bats out there and definitely put the ball in play, Samardzija said.Two of the balls were knocked completely out of play: the fifth-inning homer by Turner and Ramos career-high 17th in the sixth.San Francisco pitchers have allowed 32 homers in the last 19 games.Daniel Murphy picked up his 81st RBI with a first-inning single, and Ramos followed with a sacrifice fly.Washington made it 3-0 in the third when Turner doubled and scored on a fly ball by Bryce Harper.Pagan got the Giants first hit with one out in the fourth, a drive into the left-field seats.SHORT HOPSGiants: Span has eight hits in his last 15 at-bats. ... San Francisco hasnt won two straight roads game since June 30 and July 1.Nationals: Jayson Werth has reached base in 36 straight games. ... Murphy has a hit in 17 of his last 19 games, batting .422 with 22 RBI.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: RHP Cory Gearrin (right shoulder strain) was scheduled to make his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday night. ... LHP Josh Osich (left forearm strain) threw in the bullpen Friday and could start his rehab assignment Monday.Nationals: INF Ryan Zimmerman missed a fourth straight game after being hit in the left wrist with a pitch Sunday in San Francisco. We hope hes better in a day or two, Baker said, adding that the team has not discussed putting Zimmerman on the DL. ... The Nationals are perplexed about RHP Joe Ross, whos been out for a month with shoulder inflammation and is still experiencing soreness. Were trying to figure out what to do, Baker said.UP NEXTGiants: Matt Cain (3-6, 5.53) starts Saturday in the second game of the series. In his last outing, he pitched five hitless innings against the Nationals in San Francisco.Nationals: Strasburg (15-1, 2.63) has allowed one run and six hits over 13 innings in his last two starts. ' ' '