Paterno family 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."

Pete Thamel of the New York Times reports the details of Joe's passing: "Official details: Joe Paterno passed at 9.25 am of metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung at Mount Nittany Medical Center."

And in true-to-Joe form, the Paterno family asks that donations in Paterno's memory be made to Special Olympics or THON in lieu of flowers or gifts.