Joe Pa Passes Away at 85

STATE COLLEGE, PA - Well-known Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno (Joe Pa), passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the age of 85.  It was announced in November that Paterno had been diagnosed with lung cancer.  

(Source: Famouswiki.com)

The family released the following statement on Sunday:  

"He died as he lived," the statement said. "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."

Joe Pa began his football coaching career at Penn State after graduating from Brown University in 1950.  He quickly proved himself successful, leading the Nittany Lions to undefeated seasons in 1968 and 1969.  Paterno was offered the chance to coach the NFL’s  New England Patriots in 1973 but instead decided to remain with Penn State.  His winning record continued, leading his team to 37 bowl appearances, of which more than half of those were won.  More than 250 of his players went on to lead careers in the NFL.

Joe Paterno’s name was brought to national attention outside of the football arena in 2011 when his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, was charged with sexually abusing young boys.  Paterno and Penn State were made aware of the abuse but were accused for not taking any action.

Paterno is survived by his wife, five children, and 17 grandchildren.

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Joseph Vincent Paterno. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/joe-paterno-9434584.

Reuters.  (2012, January 22).  Penn State’s Joe Paterno dead at 85 (update).  Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/22/idUS133807577120120122.