According to a family spokesperson, former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno is in serious condition after experiencing health complications stemming from his battle with lung cancer.
The 85-year-old former coach was admitted to the hospital back on January 13th after what his family called at the time were minor complications from the cancer.
“Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications,” spokesman Dan McGinn said in a brief statement Saturday to The Associated Press. “His doctors have now characterized his status as serious.
“His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” he said.
Reports started to surface Saturday night that Paterno did pass away however family members including his son and former Penn State QB coach Jay Paterno refuted such claims only saying that his father is continuing to fight.
The general consensus though among the media reports is that Joe Paterno is near death and that his wife Susan summoned family, friends and close staff members to the hospital to say their goodbyes.
The longtime coach was diagnosed with lung cancer back in November only days after he was fired from Penn State amid the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse allegations.
Ref: WXYZ, ESPN.com, Twitter, Associated Press, inquisitr.com (image)