Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, his body ravaged by chemotherapy and radiation treatments for lung cancer, battled for his life last night at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa.

Paterno’s family, which includes his wife Sue, five children and 17 grandchildren, were summoned in the afternoon to the hospital, where Paterno has been under care since being readmitted on Jan. 13.

Two reports at around 8:45 p.m., one by CBSSports.com and another by the “Onward State” website, declared that Paterno, 85, had died. But family spokesman Dan McGinn told the Associated Press the report was not true.Later, two of Paterno’s sons issued tweets that refuted the website’s report.

“I appreciate the support & prayers,” said Jay Paterno, who worked for his father as quarterbacks coach. “Joe is continuing to fight.”

Scott Paterno tweeted, “CBS report is wrong. Dad is alive but in serious condition. We ask for your prayers and your privacy during this time.”

Both sources of the erroneous reports used social media to apologize.

A statement issued earlier last night by McGinn on behalf of the family said that Paterno had “experienced further health complications” and that 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,” the statement concluded.

Word of Paterno’s grave condition resulted in hundreds of people — students, alumni and the curious — turning out at the Paterno statue located outside of Beaver Stadium. Five students dug snow out from around the statue, allowing people to gather with candles or to place flowers at the base of the statue.

One football player, offensive tackle Eric Shrive, put a Penn State hat at the base.

Jay Paterno tweeted that he had driven by the students, adding, “Just told my Dad about all the love & support — inspiring him.”