Joe Paterno Near Death?

Joe Paterno off Respirator near Death

Report Paterno in grave condition

Breaking News The announcement came at the end of the Tennessee win over UCONN on CBS

So sorry to hear for my BSD friends - Sad day in Happy Valley

But there may be some hope

Joe Paterno, battling cancer, in serious condition after complications AP report

If anyone on Rocky Top wants an in depth view of the Sandusky situation at PSU Read the Second Mile Sandusky Sex Scandal blog or this post on Black Shoe Diaries what you read may surprise you

from CBSsports

Joe Paterno, the man who for decades was synonymous with the powerhouse Penn State football program, is reportedly in declining health. Onward State, the student-run Penn State newspaper, reported on Saturday that Paterno had been taken off his respirator that morning, according to a source close to the family. Further, a report by Tom McAndrew of Blue White Illustrated indicates thatPaterno's extended family has been summoned to the hospital.

If those reports are true, Paterno likely has, at best, a matter of days to live. It may be even shorter than that, as Mike Sisak of the Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre is reporting that Paterno is "near death."

It was only a week ago that Paterno gave his first interview since his November firing at the height of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. In it, interviewer Sally Jenkins noted that Paterno was wheelchair-bound, wearing a wig, and reduced to whispers due to his battle with lung cancer. Further, Paterno is 85, and the sad fact is that there just aren't many 85-year-old men who can begin and win a fight with a disease like lung cancer. Still, Jenkins also noted that Paterno remained sharp, and his familiar tone and personality are evident in the interview snippets that were posted online.

Citizens Voice

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is near death, a source confirmed to The Citizens' Voice.

Paterno's wife, Sue, summoned close friends and longtime staff members this afternoon to the State College hospital where Paterno has been undergoing treatments since last weekend.

Paterno wanted to see them and say a final goodbye, Sue told one of the staff members, the source said.

Paterno, diagnosed with cancer days after his Nov. 9 firing, has been weakened by radiation and chemotherapy treatments, a member of his family told the Voice.

AP report

“Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications,” spokesman Dan McGinn said in a brief statement Saturday to The Associated Press. “His doctors have now characterized his status as serious.

“His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” he said.