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Joe Paterno Dead At 85

Dan Watson, Tracy Bloom |
January 22, 2012 | 9:29 a.m. PST

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Joe Paterno (Creative Commons)
Joe Paterno (Creative Commons)

Joe Paterno, the winningest coach in Divison-1 college football whose tenure as head coach at Penn State produced two national titles and five undefeated seasons, died Sunday, his family said He was 85. 

According to ESPN, the Pennsylvania hopsital where Paterno died said the cause of death was "spreading lung cancer."

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today," a statement released by Paterno's family read. "His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled."

The statement continued: "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."

Paterno coached at Penn State for 61 seasons, becoming the head coach of the Nittany Lions in 1966. He was fired during the 2011 season after a child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant Jerry Sandusky became public, just a little more than a week after the Penn State coach got his record-setting 409th college football win. Paterno was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly therafter. 

According to a statement from State College's Mount Nittany Medical Center, Paterno died at 9:25 a.m. EST Sunday, surrounded by his family. 

A student-organized candlelight vigil in memory of Paterno will be held on Penn State's campus Sunday night. According to ESPN, about 6,000 people are expected to attend.

 

[View the story "Reaction to Joe Paterno's Death " on Storify]

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