Module Seven: Joe Paterno's Death Press Release

Legendary Football Coach Joe Paterno “JoePa”
Dead at 85

Paterno in his college days
(Donahue, 2012).

January 22, 2012 - On Sunday, January 22, 2012, Joe Paterno, better known as “JoePa,” died of lung cancer at approximately 9:25 a.m., surrounded by his family.

Penn State Scandal
While Penn State students, alumni, and football fans idolized Paterno, others knew him from the recent scandal surrounding Jerry Sandusky. Allegations against Paterno claim he “failed to respond forcefully enough to a sex abuse scandal” involving former Graduate Assistant Mike McQueary...Fired in November 2011, Paterno was "distraught" over the situation (CNN Wire Staff, 2012).



Life and Times

• Born: December 21, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York
• Early Life: Served in the U.S. Army during World War II 
• College: Brown University
• Football: Brown Quarterback who led his team to a 8-1 season in his senior year
• First Gig: 1950 - Assistant Coach of Penn State Football
• Moving On Up: 1966 - Head Coach of Penn State Football
• Career Highlights: 
• Two undefeated regular seasons in 1968 and 1969
• Two National Championships in 1982 and 1986
• Sportsman of the Year honor from Sports Illustrated in 1986
• In 46 seasons, led his team to 37 bowl appearances with 24 wins
• 409th career win in 2011 made him the leader in career wins for Division I coaches
• Personal Life: 
• Married Suzanne Pohland in 1962
• 5 children, all of whom later became graduates of Penn State
• 17 grandchildren
• Remembered For: 
• Developing Penn State’s football program into a national powerhouse
• Preparing roughly 350 of his players for the NFL
• Being a strong supporter of Penn State, donating more than $4 million during his time there.

Joe Paterno
(Biography.com, 2014)

"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 ... He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community." - Family Statement

How will you remember JoePa? Share your thoughts in the comments.

(ESPN, 2012)
Resources

CNN Wire Staff. (2012, January 22). Legendary Penn State coach Paterno dead at 85. CNN U.S. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/22/us/pennsylvania-obit-paterno/

CNN Library. (2014, September 18). Penn State Scandal Fast Facts. CNN U.S. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/28/us/penn-state-scandal-fast-facts/

Donohue, Ed. (2012, January 30). The Joe Paterno I Remember. Joe-Paterno-Brown [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.vuhoops.com/2012/01/30/the-joe-paterno-i-remember

ESPN (2012, January 22). Remembering Joe Paterno [YouTube]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VlB_gLvCHU

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

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