Penn State Football: SuePa Calls Joe Paterno Rumors ‘Lies’

The story, once again, is that there may be no story.

Ron Musselman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asked members of the Paterno family about the rumors circulating about Joe Paterno’s health and supposed retirement plans after Saturday’s Outback Bowl.

Sue Paterno’s answer, cited in an article posted at 5:32 p.m. Monday: “It’s just lies.”

Specifically debunking rumors about his health, she said his condition “is fine.”

The comments back up what Joe Paterno has said all along: that he has no plans of leaving. Two days before Thanksgiving, the week of the Michigan State game, Paterno made the following comments about his plans:

“I am looking forward to it (coming back),” Paterno said. “I think we’ve struggled a little bit this year, with the youth and with the injuries and the whole bit.

“I think we’re not where I would like us to be yet. But I think with a good spring and a preseason practice, we could be a pretty good football team next year, and I’d like to be part of it.

“…So it’s been a good situation. And I don’t see any reason to leave it right now.”

Earlier coverage

• Penn State Football: Debunking the Paterno Rumors (Dec. 24, 2010)