Paterno Has Lung Cancer

Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, according to statements made by his son Friday.

Scott Paterno says the 84-year-old former Penn State head football coach and his family learned of the illness last weekend.

"He is currently undergoing treatment, and his doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery," Scott Paterno said in a statement. "As everyone can appreciate, this is a deeply personal matter for my parents, and we simply ask that his privacy be respected as he proceeds to treatment."

Paterno was fired last Wednesday amidst a child sex abuse scandal that has rocked Penn State and the football program for the past several days. Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse. Paterno was told about one alleged instance of abuse in 2002. He was heavily criticized for reporting the allegation to his superiors but not to police.

Paterno served as the head coach of the team for 46 years and was with the program for more than 60. Last Wednesday, before he was fired, Paterno announced he would retire at the end of the season. He has won 409 games, the most in Division I football history.