Joe Paterno Dead at 85: Family Confirms Rumor

Joe Paterno, a man whose shining career as Pennsylvania State University's head football coach was overshadowed by recent child sex-abuse allegations against one of his former assistants, has died. He was 85.

Rumors of his death began on Twitter Saturday night, and they were confirmed by family members on Sunday.

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, Paterno's family said in a statement on Penn State's Web site.

The former Penn State coach had long battled with lung cancer, and complications with his chemotherapy treatments ultimately led to his death, according to his family.

Paterno coached Penn State for 46 seasons. He was heralded for winning two national championships and having five undefeated seasons, before he was fired in 2011 after facing questions about his handling of allegations in a child sex-abuse scandal involving his colleague, Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno was a graduate of Brown University and an army veteran.