Penn St. Heads to Rose Bowl; Paterno Not Retiring

Blame investigation, not legendary coach: Phil Knight

(NEWSER) - Nike founder and chairman Phil Knight brought a Joe Paterno memorial crowd to its feet when he defended the former coach over the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Paterno "gave full disclosure to his superiors, information that went up the chains to the head of the campus police and the president of the school. The matter was in the hands of a world-class university," Knight said. "This much is clear to me. If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno." More»

'This is a sad day!' former Penn State coach declares

(NEWSER) - Jerry Sandusky is an expert at running his mouth when he should probably shut it , so it comes as little surprise that the retired Penn State coach, now facing child sex abuse charges, felt the need to issue a statement on Joe Paterno's death. "This is a sad day! Our family, Dottie and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Sue and her family," Sandusky says in a statement obtained by the AP . "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." Click to see who's protesting Paterno's funeral . More»

Tributes paid to iconic coach's complicated legacy

(NEWSER) - Candles, flowers, and mourners surround Penn State's statue of "Joe Pa"; the men's basketball team observed a moment of silence before its game today; and the tributes are rolling in as State College pays tribute to the complicated legacy of Joe Paterno :

• Former Penn State President Graham Spanier: "He was a distinguished American, a legendary coach, and Penn State's greatest ambassador."
• Penn State's Board of Trustees: "We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. 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."

Penn State confirms death of beloved former coach

(AP) - Joe Paterno, who racked up more wins than anyone else in major college football but was fired from Penn State amid a child sex abuse scandal, has died, his family confirmed this morning. He was 85. Paterno "died as he lived," read the statement. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been." Paterno's son Scott announced Nov. 18 that his father was being treated for lung cancer, which was diagnosed in mid-November during a follow-up visit for a bronchial illness. More»

Ex-coach in serious condition, but many outlets reported him dead

(AP) - The managing editor of a student-run news organization that covers Penn State resigned yesterday after the publication's Twitter account sent messages saying former coach Joe Paterno had died, according to a letter on the publication's website. Paterno's sons refuted accounts of their 85-year-old father's death in Twitter messages posted after those by Onward State. "I appreciate the support & prayers. Joe is continuing to fight," Jay Paterno tweeted. More»