Joe Paterno Not Dead: 'Dad is Alive but in Serious Condition' -- Scott Paterno

Update: Joe Paterno Dead: Jerry Sandusky, Penn State's Bill O'Brien Speak

Scott Paterno, the son of former Pennsylvania State University football coach Joe Paterno has refuted earlier reports that his father has died.

CBS report is wrong -- Dad is alive but in serious condition, Scott Paterno tweeted. We continue to ask for your prayers and privacy during this time.

Scott Paterno had to take to his Twitter account to verify that his father was still alive after reports suggested that Joe Paterno died on Saturday.

Drove by students at the Joe statue. Just told my Dad about all the love & support -- inspiring him, Jay Paterno also tweeted. That tweet was retweeted by Scott Paterno shortly after.

Earlier that day a family spokesman had indicated that Joe Paterno's health is failing and that he is serious condition. Paterno, 85, has been battling lung cancer after being diagnosed last November. The untrue death reports have claimed that the former head coach died because of complications with chemotherapy.

The family has told The Associated Press that Paterno has been hospitalized since Jan. 13 for treatment for minor complications from his cancer treatments. News of Paterno's illness came in November after he was ousted as head coach of the Penn State football team amid the child sex abuse scandal involving assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno coached Penn State for more than 40 seasons before he was fired.