Sports / Joe Paterno Paterno Breaks Pelvis After Home Fall Former Penn State coach also undergoing chemo for lung cancer By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Dec 11, 2011 2:03 PM CST Copied In this Nov. 9, 2011, file photo, Joe Paterno and his, wife, Susan, stand on their porch to thank supporters gathered outside their home in State College, Pa. (Gene J. Puskar) Joe Paterno fractured his pelvis again following a fall at his home but will not need surgery, a person close to the family says. The former Penn State football coach was expected to make a full recovery after slipping yesterday and was admitted to the hospital the next day, the person added. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Paterno, who turns 85 on Dec. 21, is also undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for what his family has said is a treatable form of lung cancer. Son Scott Paterno has said doctors are optimistic his father will make a full recovery from the illness. Paterno was fired last month in the aftermath of child sex-abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who maintains his innocence. Paterno is not a target of the investigation. (More Joe Paterno stories.) Report an error