Joe Paterno

Following a day of swirling rumors, speculation, and false reports; the family of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno conforms that he passed away this morning at the age of 85. Paterno had been diagnosed with lung cancer in November, and was hospitalized for a broken pelvis in December.

When Penn State fired legendary head football coach Joe Paterno for not being more proactive after learning his long-time assistant Jerry Sandusky had sexually abused a boy, students rioted in protest. According to a survey of 1,386 adults from Poll Position, Penn State’s board of directors decision to dump Paterno immediately isn’t as controversial with the general public.

Amid the sexual-abuse scandal surrounding the Penn State football program, head coach Joe Paterno has agreed to retire at the end of the season. Paterno has been the head coach at Penn State since 1966. Paterno's move comes in the wake of a child sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant football coach.