Paterno News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             

January 22, 2012                                                                                                                                                                          

Coach and Philanthropist Paterno Dead at 85

STATE COLLEGE, PA – Joe Paterno, the man revered as the most winningest coach in major college football after leading Penn State to 409 wins in 46 seasons and two national championships, has died. He was 85.

Paterno is said to have been treated for lung cancer, which was diagnosed last November while being monitored for a bronchial illness, and shortly after Penn State's Board of Trustees fired him Nov. 9 in the aftermath of the child sex abuse charges against former assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno had since been receiving treatment, and his health began to decline once he broke his pelvis — an injury conceived following a hit in preseason practice last year.

Prior to the official announcement of Paterno’s death, Onward State that covers the Penn State community, led media outlets, including CBSSports.com, The Huffington Post and People.com on a frenzy of erroneous and premature reporting of Joe Paterno’s death on Saturday. National criticism of these media was quick to follow with references to ethical code violations. Onward State retracted its report Saturday once evidence showed Paterno was still alive, and its managing editor, Devon Edwards, resigned from his post.

An article in USA Today reported that Paterno's philanthropy helped mold PSU, stating that “He and his wife and children gave the university $3.5 million in 1998 to endow faculty positions and scholarships and in support of two building projects.”

Paterno is survived by his wife, five children, and 17 grandchildren. In a statement, his family said: "He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."

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References

Biography (2014). Joe Paterno biography. Bio. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/joe-paterno-9434584#final-days&awesm=~oEopldg9bwSH4B.

CBS News (2012). Ex-Penn State coach Joe Paterno dead at 85. CBSNews.com. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-penn-state-coach-joe-paterno-dead-at-85/.

Carey, J. (2012). Penn State coaching legend Joe Paterno dies at 85. USA Today. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2012-01-21/former-penn-state-coach-joe-paterno-dead/52737230/1.