by now I think reports by CBS and AP upon which I was relying are now being walked back. Susan Candiotti of CNN says she has spoken with spokesman for family, and NY Times is saying he is not dead. I apologize, but I did not post until I had what should have been reliable sources. Leaving the content I had put up before visible, but I no longer support it. Sorry.
updateThe multiple sources on which I was relying are AP and CBS. Now multiple reports that they are wrong.. Keeping an eye on it. Will delete the contents of this if CBS and/or AP pull their stories.
original posting follows
multiple sources now reporting Joe Paterno has passed away at 85. Sad his last year had to be as it was.
adding links as I get them:
cbs sports, which begins
Joe Paterno, the man who for decades was synonymous with Penn State football and was known by the college football world as just "JoePa", has died. Paterno, 85, had been receiving chemotherapy as part of his treatment for lung cancer, and complications from that treatment claimed the longtime Penn State coach's life on Saturday.
AP story, which begins
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A family spokesman says former Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who is battling lung cancer,has died.
The 85-year-old Paterno has been in the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation for what his family had called minor complications from cancer treatments.
“Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications,” spokesman Dan McGinn said in a brief statement Saturday to The Associated Press.
Mb>FINAL UPDATE two of JoePa's sons, Scott and Jay, have tweeted that he is still alive albeit in serious condition. Sorry for any grief I may have caused the family by posting this based on CBS and AP reports.