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A few days later, and before he was fired by the universitys board of trustees, Paterno reversed himself and said he wished he had done morea sentiment he reiterated during an interview last week with the Washington Post. Shortly after Sandusky was initially taken into custody, Paterno issued a statement that said he did what I was supposed to and had referred the matter to university administrators.

The universitys athletic director and an administrator who supervised the campus police department were also arrested and charged with lying to a grand jury. The still-ongoing scandal resulted in the firing of then-university president Graham Spanier, as well as Paterno. Several victims and witnesses came forward and gave chilling accounts of abuse, the most infamous and heinous of which involved the alleged rape of a child by Sandusky in the showers of a university facility in 2002.

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Paternos career, so carefully built over decades, began to crack and crumble when former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was charged with sexually assaulting young boys dating back to his time on the Nittany Lions staff. He was a mascot of sorts, loved for his success and philanthropy, as well as his disarming and distinctive style: black shoes and white socks, too-short pant legs and impossibly-thick magnifying lenses that he wore as glasses.Īll of that was his legacybut so, sadly, was what happened toward the end of his life. Paterno was a football coach, but he was also a symbol. On Twitter, Paternos son, Scott, added, to Penn Staters, past and present, know that Dad loves you all and has always loved being part of your family.Įagles notebook: A peek into the mind of DeVonta Smith He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.' His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. In a statement issued after he passed away, his family said Paterno 'died as he lived,' and that 'he fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. Others left trinkets and shirts and posters. Late Saturday night, when it was announced that Paternos condition had become serious and that he was gravely ill, students, alumni and Penn State fans gathered at Joe Paternos statue outside Beaver Stadium. Paterno, who was Ivy League educated, worked hard to graduate players and, along with his wife, Sue, reportedly donated more than 4 million to Penn State for various projects, scholarships and faculty endowments.

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More than 350 of his former players went on to sign professional football contracts, including Franco Harris, LaVar Arrington, Matt Millen, Jack Ham and Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti. Last season, Paterno recorded the 409th victory of his careerthe most in college football history.

He was named National Coach of the Year five times, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1982, he won his first national championship. He built the football team into a powerhouse, leading the Nittany Lions to undefeated seasons in 1968, 19.

Paterno began as an assistant at Penn State in 1950 and took over as the schools head coach in 1966. How do you prioritize and outline the accomplishmentsand shortcomingsof a man who meant so much to so many? Until recently, it was a far less complicated concept where Paterno was concerned. It is tricky stuff, this legacy business. He also leaves behind an unspeakable child sex abuse scandal that led to his firing and forever tarnished Penn States image. Paterno is survived by his wife, five children, 17 grandchildren, countless fans, and a successful program that won 24 bowl games and two national championships. The legendary former Penn State football coach passed just months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.