Joe Paterno dead at 85

Legendary football coach Joe Paterno, who had been treated for lung cancer and a broken pelvis, has died, his family confirms to HLN. He was 85.

The former head of Penn State's football program died at 9:25 a.m. Sunday, surrounded by his family, State College's Mount Nittany Medical Center said in a statement.

The Paterno family released the following statement:

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.

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. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

He has been many things in his life - a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach, friend and father.  To my mother he was and is her soul mate, and the last several weeks have shown the strength of their love. To his children and grandchildren he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire.

When he decided to forego a career in law and make coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: make an impact.

 As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.

 And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his "living legacy" of five kids, 17 grandchildren, and hundreds of young men whose lives he changed in more ways than can begin to be counted.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON (The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon)."

Paterno had been listed in serious condition after recent health problems. He was hospitalized in December after fracturing his pelvis.

On Saturday, initial reports indicated that he had died. A family spokesman denied the reports. The family was upset about what they heard, a source close to them said. Relatives said he was able to communicate Saturday night.

"I appreciate the support & prayers," the coach's son, Jay, said in a tweet. "Joe is continuing to fight."

Scott Paterno sent tweets saying a report their dad had died were "wrong."

Paterno was fired in November after his assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested and charged with 50 counts of sexual abuse and child molestation of 10 boys since 1994. Sandusky maintains his innocence.

Students and well-wishers turned out on Penn State's campus Saturday with candles, flowers and signs, HLN contributor Sara Ganim reports.

The support was overwhelming on Facebook.

"Sending my prayers to Joe and his family! Love you with all my Nittany heart!" one commenter said on the Facebook page for Onward State, a student-run website.

"God bless Joe Pa!" Paula Graham Hood wrote.