Family, friends gather around Joe Paterno
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Former Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno is in serious condition in a State College, Pa., hospital, his son Scott said on Twitter Saturday.
Onward State, a student-run media organization covering Penn State, earlier cited unnamed family sources as saying Paterno had lost his battle with lung cancer, but the paper's managing editor later retracted its story.
The (Wilkes-Barre) Citizens' Voice, citing an unnamed family source, reported Paterno was near death and relatives had been summoned to the side of the coach, who was diagnosed with the disease in November.
Paterno's wife, Sue, issued a call for loved ones to say their final goodbyes to the 46-year Penn State mentor, The Citizens' Voice said.
A family member told the publication Paterno has been weakened by radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
"Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications," a statement issued Saturday by a family spokesman read. "His doctors have now characterized his status as serious. His family will have no comment on the situation and asks that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."
Paterno is the winningest coach in the history of college football, racking up 409 victories with the Nittany Lions while guiding them to national championships in 1982 and 1986.
He coached five undefeated teams during his tenure.
Paterno resigned Nov. 9 in the wake of child sexual abuse allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, an incident that leaves a stain on the greatest coaching career in college football history.
Red Sox sign Bard, trade Scutaro
BOSTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Daniel Bard to a one-year deal and traded shortstop Marco Scutaro to Colorado Saturday, the team announced Saturday.
The Red Sox avoided arbitration with Bard by inking the 26-year-old reliever to a new contract.
Bard, who went 2-9 with a 3.33 ERA in 70 games for the Sox last season, tossed 25 straight scoreless outings from May 27-July 31, setting a club record.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, sent Scutaro to the Rockies for pitcher Clayton Mortensen, 26, who went 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 appearances (six starts) last season for Colorado.
Scutaro, 36, batted a career-high .299 with seven home runs and 54 RBI over 113 games with Boston in 2011.
Wind gusts disrupt play at La Quinta
LA QUINTA, Calif., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Third-round play of the Humana Challenge was suspended Saturday due to dangerous wind gusts in La Quinta, Calif.
The PGA West course at La Quinta was pounded by strong winds, during which trees, tents and scoreboards were toppled by the gusts.
A horn sounded at 1:13 p.m. to signal a suspension in play.
Mark Wilson was the leader at 21-under par after completing 15 holes of the third round.
Officials said play would resume at 10:30 a.m., to be immediately followed by the final round with just professionals, no amateurs.
Former President Bill Clinton was among the celebrity amateurs making an appearance at the event formerly known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic.
Flyers' Briere concussed, out indefinitely
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Flyers forward Danny Briere will be out indefinitely due to a concussion, General Manager Paul Holmgren said Saturday.
It wasn't immediately apparent how Briere was injured in Saturday's 4-1 Philadelphia win over New Jersey.
The forward has scored 13 goals with 30 points and joins teammates James van Riemsdyk and Chris Pronger in the injured list due to concussions.
The Flyers' Jaromir Jagr also left the game with an undisclosed lower-body injury.
