Joe Paterno, the former Penn State football coach who was fired last year after a child sex abuse scandal at the school was revealed, has died at age 85, CBS News is reporting. His family confirmed his death through a statement they released on January 22, 2012.
The news of Paterno’s death comes after his son Scott announced on November 18, 2011 that his father was being treated for lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed during a follow-up appointment for a bronchial illness. The diagnosis followed Paterno’s firing on November 9, after a former assistant, Jerry Sandusky, was charged with molesting 10 boys during a 15-year period.
Paterno was admitted to the hospital on January 13, 2012, for observation for minor complications from his cancer treatment. He began undergoing the treatment for the disease after it worsened when he broke his pelvis. The pelvis injury first occurred after he was accidentally hit in a 2011 preseason practice.
The Paterno family spokesman, Dan McGinn, released a brief statement to The Associated press the night before the former football coach’s death. The statement said he experienced further health complications, and “his doctors have now characterized his status as serious.” Scott and Paterno’s other son, Jay, both denied reports that their father had died on Twitter as McGinn released the statement.
When the statement was released, approximately 200 students and townspeople gathered at a statue of Paterno at State College. Some brought candles to the vigil, which was somber and didn’t include any protests.
Written by: Karen Benardello
