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A spokesperson for the Paterno family has denied areport by CBS that former Penn State football coachJoe Paterno has died. CBS previously reported that the 85-year-old college-football legend had succumbed in his battle with lung cancer.
Paterno's diagnosis was revealed in mid November, shortly after he was dismissed from his duties as coach of the Nittany Lions. Paterno's removal camein the aftermath of the arrest of Jerry Sandusky, a longtime Paterno lieutenant facing more than 50 counts of sexual abuse against children. Amid evidence that Paterno had been notified of the abuse but had done little beyond his legal obligation to prevent it, the Penn State board of trustees voted to dismiss the longtime coach in November. The scandal reverberated beyond college football, and sullied a reputation that had once seemed unimpeachable — particularly in central Pennsylvania, where Paterno, or "JoePa," was revered.
During his 46 seasons coaching Penn State, Paterno racked up 409 wins -- the the record for a Division I football coach. He guided his teams to national championships in 1982 and 1986.
Paterno is a Brooklyn native who has lived for decades with his wife Sue near the Penn State campus. The couple has five children.
