Well, I know Paterno died in 2012...
I have a feeling he misspoke and meant Joe Montana, who was born in New Eagle, PA, probably 30 miles from Pittsburgh.
Paterno died back in 2012, right after The (Sandusky)Troubles.
I think the enormity of the disgrace brought on the school acted to overwhelm Joe, who was already up in age. It was like a dam that broke, with Niagra spilling out, bleeding out.