I wish that headline above was false. It’s not. Scott Paterno has spoke again, this time with the announcement that his father has treatable lung cancer. A source close to Mount Nittany Medical Center confirms that Joe Paterno watched last Saturday’s game against Nebraska at the hospital. Doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery, but a source close to the hospital describes the tumor as “the size of a fist” and goes on to say that Coach Paterno was spitting up blood during the game with he and his wife both in tears.

ESPN is reporting that the illness was diagnosed last week, which coincides with Paterno transferring ownership of his house to his wife for one dollar.

When Paterno lost his job a little over a week ago, I told some people that I was concerned for his health, but I did not expect cancer. One can only hope that it was noticed early enough to the point it remains treatable.

Regardless of how people feel in regards to his handling of the Sandusky situation in 2002, cancer should not be wished upon anyone. Paterno has fought through a lot, especially late in his career. Not many soon-to-be eighty five year old men make full recoveries from lung cancer, but not many individuals beyond eighty win Big Ten Championships either.

Joe is in for the fight of his life. Time to kick cancer’s butt.