Joe Paterno hospitalized after breaking his pelvis in fall at his home
Joe Paterno, the former Penn State coach fractured his pelvis again following a fall at his home but will not need surgery, a person close to the family told The Associated Press.
Joe Paterno, who turns 85 on December 21, was expected to make a full recovery after slipping yesterday and being admitted to the hospital today, the person added.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Joe Paterno is also undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for what his family has said is a treatable form of lung cancer.
His son, Scott Paterno, said doctors are optimistic his father would make a full recovery from the illness.
Joe Paterno initially hurt his pelvis after he was blindsided on the sideline during preseason practice in August.
It was determined he should remain in the hospital now to facilitate his regimen of cancer treatments while recovering from the pelvis injury, the AP was told.
Joe Paterno, the former Penn State coach fractured his pelvis again following a fall at his home but will not need surgery
The person declined to identify the hospital to maintain the family’s privacy. An operator at the hospital in State College, Mount Nittany Medical Center, said Sunday there was no patient listing for Joe Paterno.
Joe Paterno was Penn State’s head coach for 62 seasons before he was fired last month in the aftermath of child sex-abuse charges filed against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who maintains his innocence.
Joe Paterno is not a target of the investigation.
Jerry Sandusky is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday after being charged November 5 with the first set of child sex-abuse allegations that spanned 20 years.
Trustees at the school dismissed Joe Paterno four days later and accepted school President Graham Spanier’s resignation under pressure.
Several days after he was fired, Joe Paterno was diagnosed with cancer during a follow-up visit to the doctor for a bronchial illness, his family has said.
Joe Paterno has said he wishes he had done more about allegations against Jerry Sandusky.