Joe Paterno has lung cancer, says son

Penn State's former head football coach Joe Paterno has a treatable form of lung cancer, his son told the Associated Press.

"His doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery," Paterno's son, Scott Paterno, said in a statement to the AP.

The younger Paterno said his father was diagnosed last weekend.

“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 with treatment."

Penn State fired Paterno last week amid a sex scandal at the university involving those who had worked under Paterno and allegations of a possible cover up.

The firing came after Paterno's former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested and charged with sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years. Penn State's board of trustees fired Paterno and the university president after concerns were raised over how they handled the matter.

Paterno announced his retirement on Nov. 9, but the trustees fired him within the day and did not allow him to finish the season.

Meanwhile, the charity founded by Sandusky looks like it will soon close down, The New York Times reported. Sandusky has been accused of using the charity to prey on young boys.

David Woodle, the chief executive of Second Mile, told the Times the charity is looking to transfer its progams to other organizations.

“We’re working hard to figure out how the programs can survive this event,” Woodle said. “We aren’t protective of this organization that it survives at all costs.”

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