Jerry Sandusky, a former protege of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno who has become the face of child sex abuse in American sports, was convicted late Friday of 45 counts of sexually assaulting 10 boys he befriended through his charitable foundation for disadvantaged youths.

A jury of seven women and five men, most with ties to Penn State, reached the verdict at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., after an emotionally wrenching trial in which eight of the victims recounted their abuse.

Sandusky, 68, faces life in prison, though sentencing is weeks away. He had been under house arrest since last year but was placed in handcuffs and led from the court to jail after the verdict.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly portrayed Sandusky after the verdict as “a serial child predator who committed horrific acts upon his victims, causing lifelong and life-changing consequences for all of them.’’

A large crowd outside the courthouse cheered the outcome.

“Jerry indicated he was disappointed with the verdict,” said his lawyer, Joe Amendola. “But obviously he has to live with it.’’

The case has changed the landscape of child sexual abuse in sports, raising awareness as many other victims in unrelated cases across the country have come forward, saying they were inspired by the boys who stood up to Sandusky.

The jury, after deliberating for 21 hours, acquitted the former Penn State defensive coordinator of three counts related to the sexual abuse allegations. The 45 convictions, including 44 first-degree felonies, are punishable by 442 years in prison.

Amendola said before the verdict he would be shocked if Sandusky were acquitted.

“I’ll be the first one to tell you that if he did this, he should rot in jail,’’ he said in his closing appeal to the jury. “But what if he didn’t do it? His life is destroyed. Don’t be fooled.’’