Behind The Scenes Of Joe Paterno's Firing

The New York Times tracks Penn State's board of trustees from the Saturday afternoon when the Jerry Sandusky grand jury report broke to vice chairman John Surma's nationally televised announcement that Joe Paterno had been fired.

Shortly before 10 p.m., Fran Ganter, the associate athletic director for football, delivered an envelope to Paterno's home, just off Penn State's campus. Inside the envelope was a telephone number. Paterno called the number, and Garban answered. Then he passed the telephone to Surma, who was seated next to him. Surma asked if Paterno could hear him O.K. Paterno said that he could. Then Surma told Paterno of the trustees' decision. "The board of trustees has determined effective immediately you are no longer the football coach," Surma recalled saying.

Then he heard a click. Paterno hung up.

SPOILER ALERT: PSU president Graham Spanier does not come across well!