Former Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno Dies

[madeara]

Former Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno has died of lung cancer. Paterno was 85 years old. Paterno is the winningest coach in college football history. He will be missed.

[xpetchr5]

Unfortunately the last thing people will remember about him is the Sandusky scandal  Thoughts are with his family.

[BotchedSituation]

Oh, yeah. His memory is definitely going to be forever marred by that. Whether it's right or wrong, I won't argue.
Even with that tho, it's never easy losing a family member. I wish them the best.

[donnainky]

Even with the scandal, he did do a great deal of good for the school and college football. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

[GramPolly3]

It is a sad passing for a legend in college football. May he rest in peace and God have mercy on his soul.

[loulizlee]

I am not a football fan, much less college football, and I don't know much about him except what was in the news the last couple of months.  However, I do send thoughts and prayers for the family.  I read so many hate-filled comments on the internet this morning after the announcement of his passing.  I do understand that, but I wish they would not feel the need to make those comments at this time.  I think his family (who had nothing to do with the scandal) needs support.  I can only imagine how devastating it must be for them to have this happen so soon afterwards.

[hawkeye3210]

What a sad couple of months it has been for Penn State.  Surreal. 

[mattc4000]

The most important thing we remember should be the scandal.  Allowing children to continue to be molested by turning a blind eye to the situation supercedes all the good he did, particularly as it relates to football.  In the grand scheme of things, football is irrelevant in comparison to the lives that were wrecked as a result of his lack of action.

[bostonphil]

This is a very sad story. His legacy is forever tarnished by the Sandusky affair. I do not follow sports so I only heard of Coach Paterno because of the Penn State scandal. I feel very bad for him and his family. I hope that Coach Paterno is at peace. What a sad story: to go out like he did after a great career. 

[amstewart]

I'm torn on this topic.  I think Mr. Paterno was a good guy, a brilliant coach, and did a lot of good.  However, he could have done more when learning of the child abuse.  I'm sure that is a regret he took with him as he passed.  The timing of it all is sad.  I'm sure it was difficult to go through the scandal, find out you have cancer, and then battle that to the end.  Makes me wonder if the cancer was triggered/ sped up by the stress he was under.  It's a sad story all the way around.  I feel for his family as they mourn his passing, and still the children who were innocent victims in Sandusky's scandal.  He is a sick man!

[mgint]

hope his family will get some peacehe did alot of good but will be remembered by scandal that rocked penn state and country.

[tyler62]

He helped thousands of kids, unfortunately he chose not to help dozens more with the Sandusky thing. I think you need to evaluate his whole life, not just the last 3 months

[lbryanwf]

It is sad when anyone dies no matter what problems or scandals during their lifetime. He will be judged not by man but by a higher power. For me, I choose to remember the good things he did now that he is gone. RIP Joe Paterno.