Legendary former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died Sunday of lung cancer.
Paterno’s career ended abruptly in November, 2011 amid allegations that he failed to respond forcefully enough to a sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant. Paterno later admitted that he probably could have done more in the Sandusky probe. He did everything within the rules, going to the proper authorities when informed of indiscretions.
Shortly after his dismissal, he was diagnosed with a treatable form of lung cancer. Paterno was hospitalized in December after falling at home and breaking his pelvis, and again in January for complications from cancer treatments.
“JoePa” was widely admired for what he called his Grand Experiment – the expectation that college football players could succeed on the field while upholding high academic and moral standards away from the gridiron. The Nittany Lions produced 13 Academic All-Americans since 2006, and in 2009 had an 85% graduation rate. The football program never fell under NCAA sanctions of major infractions since 2006.
Paterno started his 61-yr career with Penn State in 1950 as an assistant coach, and was head coach from 1966 until 2011. He led the Nittany Lions to 2 national championships, was undefeated 5 times, and finished in the Top 25 national rankings 35 times. In 2011, he was declared the “winningest” coach in major college football history, with 409 victories.
Paterno was added to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and inducted in 2007. The delay was due to being sidelined after an injury sustained after a sideline collision .
Did Paterno die of a broken heart due to the tarnishing of a otherwise spectacular career? Did the scandal hasten a death of an 85-yr old body that already suffered cancer and a broken pelvis?
Joe Paterno is survived by wife Sue, 5 children and 17 grandchildren. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON. RIP, JoePa.
