According to ESPN (breaking news on TV) Joe Paterno is in serious condition and family is gathering at a local hospital. No matter what your opinion is about the man and the situation of the past few months, this is an incredibly sad story, and a horrible end (if it comes to that) to a remarkable career.

Unbelievable how quickly his health has deteriorated since this all happened. I can't help but remember how Bear Bryant died so quickly after he retired. This whole situation just makes me very, very sad.

UPDATE (N): From CBSSportsline.com's Eye on College Football:

Joe Paterno, the man who for decades was synonymous with Penn State football and was known by the college football world as just "JoePa", has died. Paterno, 85, had been receiving chemotherapy as part of his treatment for lung cancer, and complications from that treatment claimed the longtime Penn State coach's life on Saturday.

RIP.

UPDATE II (N): All right conflicting information floating around now. From NY Times reporter:

Dan McGinn, the Paterno family spokesman, at 8:57 p.m. on reports about Joe Paterno's death: "Absolutely not true."

UPDATE III (N): It was confirmed (ht bucknellbruin) today that Joe Paterno passed away at 85.