Remembering Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno vigil on Tuesday to mark 1 year after passing

A group plans on holding a candlelight vigil in honor of Joe Paterno's death.

Phil Knight Attacks Penn State Trustees At Joe Paterno's Memorial

VIDEO: Joe Paterno's Public Memorial, Streaming Live Online

The public memorial service for Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno is underway in the school's basketball arena. It's being televised live on ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3, the Big Ten Network and elsewhere, and we've embedded video below from MSNBC. It's also streaming via the school itself.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The coach was buried Wednesday after a day and a half of public viewings. Thousands attended either the viewings for his procession through State College, including dozens of current and former players. Paterno died Sunday morning of lung cancer, weeks after being fired for his role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He was 85 years old.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

PHOTOS: Joe Paterno's Funeral Procession Winds Its Way Through Sea Of People

Photos from Joe Paterno's funeral procession, which drew huge crowds in State College on Wednesday, are beginning to roll in. Mourners lined the street along the procession route, spilling over from sidewalks and into the street itself as Paterno's casket and the lengthy train of cars crept by. It was quite the sight to behold, and the pictures capture the emotion of the day, as well as the crush of people who came out for one last glimpse of Paterno.

The following photos were taken by Ben Jones, who was staked out on a roof along the route. Here's the procession parting the massive crowd as it heads down College Ave.

Notice the blue school bus, which carries players to Beaver Stadiums on game days. Also notice the crowd of people pressed up against the windows on the right side of the frame.

Pretty surreal sight and an impressive turnout for the procession in what had to be another emotional day for the Penn State community.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation'scollege football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Funeral Procession Draws Massive Crowds

Joe Paterno's Funeral Begins After Public Viewing Concludes

The funeral for longtime Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno is moments from beginning in State College, Pennsylvania. The ceremony follows a day and a half of public viewings, which concluded two hours earlier. Security was forced to turn away mourners as Wednesday wore on.

Via Penn State, details on the route the procession (which will be streamed online here) will take from the ceremony to the burial:

There will be a private funeral service Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. The funeral procession will begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. The procession will leave the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, turn left onto Curtin Road near the Pattee-Paterno Library and travel Curtin Road past Beaver Stadium. The procession will then turn right onto Porter Road and turn right onto College Avenue, heading west through downtown State College. The burial is private.

Penn State officials have previously indicated something like 1,000 mourners are expected to be in attendance. Tens of thousands were able to make it to either the Tuesday or Wednesday viewings, with a public memorial still awaiting on Thursday.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Funeral Procession, Thursday Ceremony To Be Televised, Streamed

Public viewings in remembrance of former Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno resumed Wednesday morning after lasting into Tuesday night, and will continue until his private 2 p.m. ET funeral. Thousands have already paid their respects, and another thousand are expected Wednesday.

EDIT: Paterno's Wednesday funeral itself will not be televised, but the 3 p.m. ET procession will be streamed online by WJAC-TV.

Penn State president Rodney Erickson is expected to be among the many mourners in attendance. The school that fired Paterno for his role in the Jerry Sandusky debacle will honor him in a separate ceremony at the campus basketball arena on Thursday.

Those who aren't able to make it to the Thursday ceremony can watch it on the Big Ten Network or online at BTN2Go.com. Some of Penn State's other campuses are also scheduled to stream live video of the events in viewing rooms.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Public Viewing Draws Dozens Of Former Players

The Penn St. Nittany Lions community began a public viewing in memory of former coach Joe Paterno, who died Sunday morning after a battle with lung cancer. The viewing, which will last until late Tuesday night and resume Wednesday morning before Paterno's funeral, has brought three buses worth of current and former players into State College.

Players will take turns standing guard over Paterno's casket during the entire viewing schedule. New coach Bill O'Brien, local legend Franco Harris, and Mike McQueary, the former player graduate assistant who accused Jerry Sandusky of molesting a boy in Penn State's locker room, have all been spotted in attendance.

Thursday, the school's basketball arena will host another public event. Demand for space at all events is expected to be high -- at one point Tuesday, someone posted a pair of tickets on eBay, which reached $90,000 before being removed, though most of that price was likely the work of someone intentionally trying to get the auction taken down as a matter of taste.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno During His Last Days: 'Doesn't Matter What People Think Of Me'

You may have seen people alleging former Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno died of a broken heart, which is an odd thing to call lung cancer. He was also not somehow murdered by the school's board of trustees, as one PSU student alleged. As Sports Illustrated's Joe Posnanski chronicled by spending time with the coach during his final days, Paterno wasn't bitter about being fired by PSU for taking a passive role in the child rape tragedy surrounding former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

A quote from Paterno on his perspective as his end neared:

"In every life," he told me, "there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?"

Elsewhere, he praises the show M*A*S*H and laments reading a "depressing" book by Joseph Conrad, which one would have to assume isn't Heart of Darkness, as the Brown grad was likely already quite familiar with that one. Regarding his legacy in light of the scandal that cost him his long-time job, Paterno wished Sandusky's victims can "find peace" and said, "it doesn't matter what people think of me."

Posnanski is currently working on a book about Paterno.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Death Means Testimony Can't Be Used In Perjury Cases

The passing of former Penn St. Nittany Lions football coach Joe Paterno is expected to have no impact on the cases against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who's accused of raping multiple young boys over the period of about a decade. But according to a New York Times report, the seven-minute testimony Paterno recorded and his testimony for the Sandusky grand jury can't be used in future proceedings against former admins Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, who've been charged with perjury:

"Now that Paterno is deceased, this charge will have to stand only on the report by McQueary," said Geoff Moulton, a former federal prosecutor and an associate professor at Widener School of Law. "With respect to Victim 2 and the charges against Curley and Schultz, McQueary's testimony, which has always been critical, is even more so."

This damages the cases against Curley and Schultz, which now have to rely largely on the story of former graduate assistant Mike McQueary, whose story may have changed slightly over time. Plenty of other evidence should still be on the way against Sandusky, however, including expected testimony from multiple alleged victims.

Paterno had testified that he knew Sandusky had been accused of "inappropriate action."

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Barack Obama Called Joe Paterno's Family To Offer Condolences

President Barack Obama called the family of departed Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno to express sympathies Monday. He spoke with the coach's wife, Sue, and son Jay, expressing happy memories of meeting Paterno. Ivan Maisel collected a quick sketch of the conversation:

"Jay, I wanted to call," Obama said, according to notes that Jay took. "Both Michelle and I wanted to offer our condolences to you and your family.

"Mrs. Paterno, your husband was beloved by so many and he will be missed.

"You both worked so hard to build a great institution.

"I was honored to have a chance to spend some time with him last year."

Jay Paterno worked for the Obama campaign during the 2008 Democratic primary, and even kept a blog on Obama's official site at one point. This was in contrast to Joe's own politics, but everyone seems to have gotten along just fine.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

How Joe Paterno Changed Things

Joe Paterno's Funeral Scheduled For Wednesday In State College

The funeral for former Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno will take place Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, surrounded by multiple days worth of public memorials. It will be held at Koch Funeral Home in State College. Paterno passed away Sunday morning after a two-month bout with lung cancer.

Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET, Penn State's Pasquerilla Spiritual Center will host a 10-hour public viewing, which will continue Wednesday morning for four hours. Thursday, Penn State will hold a memorial at the campus' Jordan Center at 2 p.m. ET. Expect all events to be very highly attended by Penn State alumni, students and fans, along with Pennsylvania community members.

Paterno's family has requested donations be made to the Special Olympics in lieu of flowers. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has ordered the state's flags to be flown at half-mast in remembrance of Paterno.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno: Bury A Man, Keep The Statue

Joe Paterno the football coach may be gone, but Joe Paterno the institution remains. His passing leaves us with memories and questions too complicated to be summed up for quite a while.

Joe Paterno Funeral Details Expected Monday

The funeral for Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno will be held at Koch Funeral Home in State College, with the Patriot-News reporting details about the memorial are expected to be announced later Monday. The family and school are coordinating plans at this point, and PSU president Rodney Erickson has said the school will honor Paterno in its own way -- just weeks after firing him due to his role in the Jerry Sandusky tragedy.

Erickson's statement on Paterno:

We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always. The University plans to honor him for his many contributions and to remember his remarkable life and legacy. We are all deeply saddened. We are considering appropriate ways to honor the great life and legacy of Joe Paterno. The University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is consulting with members of the Penn State community on the nature and timing of the gathering.

Paterno's family has requested donations be made to the Special Olympics in lieu of flowers.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has ordered the state's flags to be flown at half-mast in remembrance of Paterno

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Death Won't Change Jerry Sandusky Cases

The death of Penn St. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno won't have any real impact on the case against Jerry Sandusky or the multiple ongoing investigations into Penn State's handling of the allegations against him. While Paterno had key testimony to provide regarding what former graduate assistant Mike McQueary allegedly saw Sandusky doing to a young boy, Paterno's seven-minute piece has already been recorded for the court to examine.

Multiple legal experts told the Associated Press that Paterno's death shouldn't alter the case or cases in any major way. One said his role in the case has served as a distraction from the heart of the matter -- whether Sandusky did or didn't abuse children -- though we're sure he didn't mean it's a good thing Paterno's no longer involved.

Considering his physical weakness in the weeks before his passing, it's not easy to imagine Paterno being able to devote much time and energy to lengthy court proceedings even if he'd been healthy enough.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Death Leaves LaVar Arrington And Others With Lots Left To Say

As former Penn State Nittany Lions like LaVar Arrington deal with Joe Paterno's death, others are considering his legacy. The answer depends on whether you truly knew JoePa, or just what you were told.

Jerry Sandusky's Statement On Joe Paterno's Death

Jerry Sandusky is in the news these days for all of the wrong reasons, but the former Penn State Nittany Lions assistant coach decided to issue a statement on his former head coach following the death of Joe Paterno on Sunday morning.

Sandusky is currently facing 52 criminal charges for the alleged sexual abuse of children -- charges that led to a blowup of the Penn State football program and the ousting of Paterno as head coach after he'd spent the previous 61 years coaching at the school.

Sandusky's statement, as released to the Associated Press, is included below.

"This is a sad day! Our family, Dottie and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Sue and her family. Nobody will be able to take away the memories we all shared of a great man, his family, and all the wonderful people who were a part of his life."

"He maintained a high standard in a very difficult profession. Joe preached toughness, hard work and clean competition. Most importantly, he had the courage to practice what he preached."

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno: A Legend's Career

With the passing of Penn State's legendary head coach Joe Paterno, SB Nation looks back on the long and storied career of this extraordinary college football icon.

New Penn State Coach Bill O'Brien Offers Statement On Joe Paterno's Death

After the passing of longtime Penn St. Nittany Lions football coach Joe Paterno, new coach Bill O'Brien shared a statement. O'Brien was brought on to replace Paterno after a long search that added stress to much of the PSU community. Many Nittany Lions supporters wanted to see an insider like interim coach Tom Bradley assume full responsibility for the program, and several former players voiced disapproval of the hiring of New England Patriots offensive coordinator O'Brien. Days later, O'Brien received a standing ovation at a Penn State basketball game.

The new coach said he was able to speak to Paterno over the phone once after being hired. Paterno expressed his support for O'Brien, but the two reportedly spoke mostly of their common alma mater, Brown.

O'Brien's statement in full:

It is with great sadness that I am compelled to deliver this message of condolence and tribute to a great man, husband, father and someone who is more than just a coach, Joe Paterno.

First, on behalf of Penn State Football, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Paterno family for their loss. We also offer our condolences to the Penn State community and, in particular, to those who wore the Penn State colors, our Nittany Lion football players and alumni. Today they lost a great man, coach, mentor and, in many cases, a father figure, and we extend our deepest sympathies.

The Penn State Football program is one of college football's iconic programs because it was led by an icon in the coaching profession in Joe Paterno. There are no words to express my respect for him as a man and as a coach. To be following in his footsteps at Penn State is an honor. Our families, our football program, our university and all of college football have suffered a great loss, and we will be eternally grateful for Coach Paterno's immeasurable contributions.

Elsewhere in the Penn State football program, the show goes on.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno Dies: Reflecting On His Coaching Career Highlights

Joe Paterno, the winningest coach in major college football history, has died at the age of 85. While we must never forget the awful lessons from the past three months, it's important to acknowledge the mark the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee made on the sport, Penn State University and the lives of hundreds of players and coaches.

His 409 wins surpassed the mark posted by Grambling's Eddie Robinson -- he's also the only Division I-A/FBS coach to reach 400 victories. Only 10 other head coaches at any level of college football have tallied even 300 wins. During his career at Penn State, other I-A/FBS football programs made 888 head coaching changes.

Paterno led the Nittany Lions to national championships in 1982 and 1986, along with five unbeaten years. In Paterno's tenure as head coach, the Nittany Lions went 24-12-1 in bowl games, making him the coach with the most all-time bowl wins.

Though PSU didn't join the Big Ten until 1993, Paterno's program has won three conference titles, and he was named the conference's top coach three times as well.

Following Penn State's 1986 title, Paterno became the first college football coach to be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. Coach of the year awards aren't easy to track, but Paterno has won more than two dozen of them, including a near-sweep in 2005, when he won eight of them.

More than 350 of his former players have gone on to play in the NFL, with 33 of them being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Paterno came to the State College as a graduate assistant in 1950 after graduating from Brown University. After 16 seasons, he took over the program and stayed at Penn State -- spurning multiple professional offers -- long enough to become the longest-tenured head coach in NCAA Division I history.

He was also known for his philanthropy, earning one of the lower salaries in FBS football and still diverting millions of dollars back to the university. He helped raise funds for a $13.5 million expansion to Penn State's campus library, which is named in his honor. SB Nation's Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries notes how far Paterno's impact has gone beyond the football field:

On an individual level, he has psychologically tweaked players -- and all of us, along the way -- into performing better in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He has pushed for NCAA reform to make athletics more equitable on and off the field. He has taken chances on players in whom he saw potential unfulfilled, and often helped them to avoid the dangerous trappings of their adolescent environment. Penn State's football program has always graduated its athletes at a substantially higher rate than its competitors, and its graduation rate for African-American players was above the national average for more than twenty years. There is a reason people have referred to Paterno as "Saint Joe".

No man is worthy of being revered. As we've learned, Paterno was no exception, considering his role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal and other stories that have come to light as of late. But it's hard to say a modern figure has done more for an American university and surrounding community than Paterno did.

This update incorporates elements from a previous article by Michael Katz.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno Dead At 85: Reactions From Around The Country

Joe Paterno passed away at 9:25 a.m. ET on Sunday morning, and in the moments following the terrible news fans and news sources all over the internet responded with a massive outpouring of love and respect for the former Penn State head football coach. His death was confirmed in a statement released by his family to the Associated Press. Penn State was understandably among the first to react to the news, releasing a long statement speaking highly of the positive impact Paterno made on the State College community.

Paterno passionately and vigorously served the Penn State football program and the university with principle, distinction and success with honor since matriculating to State College in 1950 as a motivated and enthusiastic 23-year-old with Rip Engle, his head coach at Brown University. After 16 years as an assistant coach under Engle, Paterno was named Penn State's 14th head football coach on February 19, 1966 when Engle retired.

The New York Times made mention of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal that resulted in Paterno's dismissal in November. There is no denying how Joe Pa would become synonymous with the school itself, however.

During his 46 years as head coach, as he paced the sidelines in his thick tinted glasses, indifferent to fashion in his white athletic socks and rolled-up, baggy khaki pants, Paterno seemed as much a part of the Penn State landscape as Mount Nittany, overlooking the central Pennsylvania campus known as Happy Valley.

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports highlights Paterno's impact on the college football landscape itself. Over 46 years as the head coach of the Nittany Lions, Paterno managed to become one of the game's progressive voices while still holding onto the now quaint ideals of amateur athletics.

This will be forever the battle over Joe Paterno's legacy. A life of soaring impact, of bedrock values, of generations and generations as a symbol of how to live life to its fullest.

The Sandusky case cracked that for some. Ended it. Not for all, though.

Paterno reached too many, taught too many, inspired too many. And for years and seasons, for decades and generations to come, those that drew from his wisdom will pass it on and on. That will be his most lasting legacy.

Stewart Mandel at Sports Illustrated, meanwhile, writes about the irreparable damage that the Sandusky scandal did to Paterno's reputation, and the eerie similarities with the passing of another legend.

Though he wouldn't say so openly, Paterno had long feared suffering the same fate as Bear Bryant, the revered Alabama coach who died of a heart attack four weeks after coaching his last game. (Eerily, Thursday is the 30th anniversary of Bryant's death.) Paterno couldn't imagine a life without football, and when he was finally confronted with that dreaded reality, it was not of his own volition. Even worse, as that now infamous comment issued from his doorstep indicated, Paterno brought about his own undoing.

Finally, there are the reactions from the Penn State community itself, of which you'll find many at the SB Nation blog Black Shoe Diaries.

I posted this in a thread back in November, and it's more true today than ever

Penn State made me who I am today; seldom a day goes by when I don't think about how lucky I am to have gone to such a great school.

Penn State is what it is in large part because of Joe. He inspires so many of us, as students and graduates, to pursue greatness in his mold, through dedication to hard work, integrity, and realizing our potential.

Penn State still means just as much to me as it always has. So does Joe.

Penn State will remain great because we will continue to make it great. I will continue to make it great because Joe will always inspire me to.

So thank you, Joe, from the bottom of my heart. We are Penn State, and we always will be.

- commenter newenglandnittanylion

For more on the passing of Joe Paterno, stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Joe Paterno Dies, And Penn State Tragedy Continues Without Him

Joe Paterno Dies At 85 After Fight With Lung Cancer

Joe Paterno died Sunday morning due to complications from a two-month fight with lung cancer, his family confirmed in a statement to the Associated Press. The former Penn State football coach, who won more games than anyone else in major college football history, was 85 years old. The full text of his family's statement appears below:

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.

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. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

He has been many things in his life - a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach, friend and father. To my mother he was and is her soul mate, and the last several weeks have shown the strength of their love. To his children and grandchildren he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire.

When he decided to forego a career in law and make coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: Make an impact.

As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.

And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his "living legacy" of five kids, 17 grandchildren, and hundreds of young men whose lives he changed in more ways than can begin to be counted.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON, The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Paterno, fired by the university's Board of Trustees in November 2011 at the height of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, was in declining health after being removed from his duties. His son, Scott, made Paterno's lung cancer public in November, and Paterno fell and fractured his pelvis in December. He had been in and out of a hospital near his State College home, receiving treatment for cancer and other illness, but was reportedly taken off a respirator early on Saturday.

Paterno was Penn State's head coach for 46 years, and coached football at the school from 1950 until 2011. His final win came in his penultimate game as Penn State's head coach, with the Nittany Lions defeating Illinois in October, and gave Paterno the Division I-A/FBS record for most wins by a head coach, passing Grambling's Eddie Robinson.

Paterno is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, the former Susan Pohland, five children, and 17 grandchildren.

Andy Hutchins contributed to this report.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

VIDEO: Joe Paterno Supporters Sing Penn State Alma Mater At Statue Vigil

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Penn St. Nittany Lions students, fans and supporters gathered Saturday night around the on-campus statue in Joe Paterno's likeness to pay respects to the football coach, who's in ailing condition at a nearby hospital. In the light of Sunday morning, it's easier to see the tokens that are being left at the statue's feet, including still-burning candles, signs, flowers and Nittany Lions memorabilia, and it's evident snow has been shoveled away.

Late Saturday, the gathered crowd softly sang Penn State's alma mater while swaying with their arms around each other. PennLive.com captured video of the moment:

You can hear individuals sobbing throughout, while the conclusion of the song introduces a painful, somber silence. The song's lyrics:

For the glory of old State,
For her founders strong and great,
For the future that we wait,
Raise the song, raise the song.

Sing our love and loyalty,
Sing our hopes that, bright and free,
Rest, O Mother dear, with thee,
All with thee, all with thee.

When we stood at childhood's gate,
Shapeless in the hands of fate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
Dear old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame
To one heart that loves thy name,
May our lives but swell thy fame,
Dear old State, dear old State.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno's Health Still In Grave Condition Sunday Morning, According To Reports

Legendary Penn St. Nittany Lions football coach Joe Paterno, 85, remains in troubling condition at a State College hospital, surrounded by family. As of Saturday night, he remained on a ventilator and able to communicate, according to the Patriot-News' Stefanie Loh, but the Washington Post's Sally Jenkins reports the family is now weighing whether to take him off of it.

Both cite sources close to the family. Jenkins' report is especially noteworthy, as she was the last person to interview the coach before his bout with illness took its latest turn.

Throughout Saturday night, news of Paterno's failing health spread quickly. Too quickly, at times, as an erroneous report that he'd already passed away was able to make the rounds before sons Jay and Scott took to Twitter to issue denials.

Elsewhere, students have made a memorial of the campus statue in his likeness. Penn State fans at Black Shoe Diaries kept an all-night vigil, perhaps mostly just to keep each other company during an awful time. Late Saturday night, Jay Paterno tweeted the following note:

@JayPaterno Drove by students at the Joe statue. Just told my Dad about all the love & support--inspiring him.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Explaining The Reports Of Joe Paterno's Passing And An Apology

On Saturday evening, reports of Joe Paterno's passing were erroneously published here and elsewhere. It was a deeply regrettable situation and one that demands an explanation. As the editor on duty, it was my responsibility to determine what was published and when, and that included updates on Paterno's health.

The initial story was published under Andy Hutchins' byline, after he wrote the background and the basis of the post. As the news broke and began circulating rapidly, I edited his post -- attributing the reports to the initial sources -- and published it. His name was on it, but it was my own decision to publish it, citing the reports available at the time.

Before publishing, we waited for multiple reports from national outlets. The reports spread to numerous trusted sources, sparking our own decision to publish a post as a result. It was based not on our own reporting, but on the reporting of others.

As we later found out, Paterno had not passed away and continues to battle for his life. By the time a family spokesman released a statement denying the reports, word had already spread like wildfire, though various forms of social media and online, in posts including the one here at SB Nation.

The decision to publish the post was in error. We should have waited for official word from the Paterno family. With the speed at which stories move and advance, decisions have to be made in a split-second, and the decision I made was wrong. There's no excuse for it, and I take full responsibility.

Most of all, the Paterno family and Penn State community deserve an apology. The emotional rollercoaster Penn State fans, students and alumni were taken on was unfair, and we contributed to it. Paterno's family is dealing with an incredibly difficult situation at the moment, and the whirlwind of activity and reports only served to compound their own crisis.

Joe Paterno's Sons Deny Death Reports, Maintain He's Still Fighting

Reports of Joe Paterno's passing were premature, according to multiple members of the former Penn State coach's family, as well as the family's spokesman. A report from Onward State on Saturday indicated players were informed of Paterno's passing in an email, and those reports circulated throughout the media shortly thereafter.

However, both Scott and Jay Paterno are denying the reports, maintaining their father is still alive and fighting.

I appreciate the support & prayers. Joe is continuing to fight.

— Jay Paterno (@JayPaterno) January 22, 2012

CBS report is wrong - Dad is alive but in serious condition.We continue to ask for your prayers and privacy during this time.

— Scott Paterno (@ScottPaterno) January 22, 2012

Additionally, Onward State, which was cited numerous places including here, has apparently backed away from its initial report.

To OS followers: Our 8:45 pm tweet about Joe Paterno's death appears to be inaccurate, according to @JayPaterno, who says he's alive. (1/2)

— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 22, 2012

We were confident when we ran with it, and are still trying to figure out where our process failed. We apologize sincerely for error. (2/2)

— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 22, 2012

Sara Ganim, citing a source close to the Paterno family, reports Paterno is still very sick, but is able to communicate at this time. We'll be back with more as it becomes available.

Joe Paterno Has Not Passed Away, Family Spokesman Says

A spokesman for the family of Joe Paterno is denying the former Penn State coach has passed away on Saturday afternoon. Following numerous reports indicating Paterno had passed away, the spokesman released a statement categorically denying the rumors.

The report comes from Mark Viera, who passes along the spokesman's quick statement.

Dan McGinn, the Paterno family spokesman, at 8:57 p.m. on reports about Joe Paterno's death: "Absolutely not true."

— Mark Viera (@markcviera) January 22, 2012

Paterno was in serious condition on Saturday after his health began to decline rapidly. He's been hospitalized since Jan. 13 while dealing with complications from lung cancer. On Saturday morning, multiple reports indicated Paterno was taken off a respirator, with family and friends summoned to his bedside.

There were also reports that Penn State players were sent an email informing them of Paterno's passing. McGinn denied those as well.

EDIT: Family Denies Joe Paterno Has Passed Away

Edit: The Paterno family spokesman is denying the former Penn State coach has passed away:

Dan McGinn, the Paterno family spokesman, at 8:57 p.m. on reports about Joe Paterno's death: "Absolutely not true."

— Mark Viera (@markcviera) January 22, 2012

Read SB Nation editor Brian Floyd's explanation of and apology for our original report.

Original Story: Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85, surrounded by his family, according to multiple reports on Saturday evening. An email reportedly went out to current Penn State players informing them of the news.

The former Penn State head coach, fired by the university's Board of Trustees in November 2011 at the height of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, was in declining health after being removed from his duties. His son, Scott, made Paterno's lung cancer public in November, and Paterno fell and fractured his pelvis in December. He had been in and out of a hospital near his State College home, receiving treatment for cancer and other illness, but was reportedly taken off a respirator early on Saturday.

Paterno was Penn State's head coach for 46 years, and coached football at the school from 1950 until 2011. His final win came in his penultimate game as Penn State's head coach, with the Nittany Lions defeating Illinois in October, and gave Paterno the Division I-A/FBS record for most wins by a head coach, passing Grambling's Eddie Robinson.

Paterno is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, the former Susan Pohland, five children, and 17 grandchildren.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

PHOTOS: Joe Paterno Statue, Beaver Stadium Become Gathering Points

From the photos trickling out, the scene in and around State College is interesting on Saturday night, as Penn State students and fans begin to digest the news that Joe Paterno's health is declining rapidly. A spokesman confirmed Paterno was in serious condition and experiencing health complications, with other reports indicating the former Penn State coach is gravely ill.

Hours ago, all was quiet near the statue. Now, the crowd is increasing in size, with some students digging the statue out from under the snow.

Via

Via

The scene at Beaver Stadium was incredibly eerie, as well, with a Penn State football video playing silently on the Jumbotron.

Beaver Stadium showing a Penn State football video on the big screen. No sound. twitpic.com/8a3wvt

— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 22, 2012

There's been no further updates on Paterno's health since the spokesman's initial statement confirming his condition earlier on Saturday.

Joe Paterno 'Gravely Ill,' Police Reportedly Barricade Street Near His Home

A spokesman confirmed Joe Paterno is in serious condition on Saturday, but multiple reports are indicating the former Penn State head coach's heath is deteriorating rapidly as he battles lung cancer. Paterno's condition is being described as "gravely ill" by those close to him, and friends and family have reportedly been summoned to his bedside at a nearby hospital.

The latest report comes from Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. According to Musselman, Paterno's condition has worsened over the last week, and police are blocking off the road in front of the former Penn State coach's home.

The source said Mr. Paterno, 85, has "deteriorated" since being readmitted to Mount Nittany Medical Center Jan. 13 for treatment of lung cancer.

Police have put barricades up on McKee Street to block off the road where Mr. Paterno lives

As the Jerry Sandusky scandal unfolded a few months ago, Paterno's home became a gathering spot for students and fans, with many holding vigil on his lawn. With reports and rumors swirling about Paterno's declining health, it's of little surprise that police are taking precautionary measures by reportedly blocking vehicle traffic in front of his house.

Joe Paterno Experiencing Health Complications, In Critical Condition

The swirling rumors regarding Joe Paterno's health that began to emerge on Saturday are at least somewhat true, a family spokesman confirmed. Paterno is experiencing what the spokesman called "health complications," though no further details were given.

The report comes from ABC News, but stops short of addressing earlier rumors that Paterno was taken off a respirator.

ABC News: Spokesman says Joe Paterno is experiencing 'health complications', condition is 'serious'

— Michael van Poppel (@mpoppel) January 21, 2012

Michael Sisak, a staff writer for the Citizen's Voice in Wilkes-Barre, adds that family and friends have been summoned to Paterno's bedside, as well. Sisak's report meshes with earlier reports indicating Paterno's family has been traveling to the hospital throughout the day on Saturday.

Source confirms to CV that Paterno gravely ill. Sue Paterno telephoned member of staff, summoned person to hospital to say goodbye to Joe.

— Michael Sisak (@cvmikesisak) January 21, 2012

Paterno's doctors have also confirmed the former Penn State coach is in serious condition. Paterno has been battling lung cancer and undergoing difficult radiation treatments over the past few months, beginning after he was relieved of his duties as the Nittany Lions' head football coach.

Joe Paterno's Health In Decline, Former Penn State Coach Reportedly Taken Off Respirator

Former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno's battle with lung cancer reportedly took a turn for the worse on Saturday as his health continued to fail him. Rumors have picked up significantly as the day has worn on, culminating in a report detailing his grave condition this afternoon.

According to Onward State, Paterno was taken off a respirator early on Saturday morning.

According to a source, former head coach Joe Paterno was taken off of a respirator this morning. onward.st/AcFFzA

— Onward State Feed (@OnwardStateFeed) January 21, 2012

*The link in the tweet is down at the moment due to a high volume of traffic inundating the Onward State servers.

In a post on Blue-White Illustrated, Tom McAndrew also confirmed Paterno's health is failing, giving the impression he could pass away at any moment.

This is pretty difficult, because the Paterno family needs to handle things on their own terms, and to announce things when they wish to do so.

The rumors about JoePa being in bad shape (beyond just having lung cancer) are, unfortunately, accurate. His extended family has been summoned to be with him.

Paterno has been undergoing cancer treatment with regularity since being terminated by the Penn State Board of Trustees in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Over the past few months, he's been in-and-out of the hospital, with his latest stint beginning shortly after he conducted his first interview, with Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post, since the scandal. Paterno was suffering from exhaustion, and Jenkins noted the former Penn State coach appeared frail and weak, often speaking in hushed tones.

We'll be back with more on Paterno as it becomes available in this StoryStream. For more on Penn State, head over to Black Shoe Diaries.

Joe Paterno Released From Hospital After Accident

Sunday, former Penn St. Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno was released from a hospital, according to Joe Schad. Paterno was hospitalized after suffering a pelvis injury in a fall at his State College home. He's also undergoing treatment for his lung cancer, which was revealed days after he'd been fired by the school.

Paterno is 84 years old. He lives with his wife near Penn State's campus and has five children.

He coached the Nittany Lions program from 1966 until 2011, when he was fired midseason after the release of the Jerry Sandusky grand jury report. His testimony regarding the allegations raised against Sandusky was read into court record earlier in the week. 

Paterno is the all-time winningest Division I football coach and a College Football Hall of Famer.

For more on Paterno, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub.

Joe Paterno Falls At Home, Fractures Pelvis

Legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno's health has reportedly in decline since he was fired by Penn State's Board of Trustees in November for his part in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal. A previous report included the revelation, from son Scott, that Paterno has lung cancer, while a new Associated Press report this Sunday indicates that Paterno fell at home and fractured his pelvis on Saturday, and was admitted to a local hospital on Sunday.

Paterno will reportedly not need surgery, but has been advised to remain in the hospital while recovering from the fractured pelvis to facilitate his cancer treatment. Paterno previously sustained a pelvis injury while coaching Penn State during preseason practice in August, and that injury followed a hip injury in 2008 that came while Paterno was demonstrating an onside kick.

Paterno will turn 85 in 10 days, and is not employed as a Penn State coach for the first time since 1950.

Joe Paterno Has Lung Cancer, According To Son Scott

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, his son has revealed.