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Penn State announced the passing of longtime director of athletic medicine Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli on Tuesday, and it didn't take long for there to be an outpouring among the Nittany Lion community. Sebastianelli died Monday at age 68. Current and former Penn State players and coaches — not to mention others in the State College community — took to social media to express condolences and share memories of Sebastianelli, who worked at Penn State for more than 30 years. "Through his compassion, expertise, and steadfast dedication, he shaped generations of Nittany Lions and touched lives far beyond our athletic programs, reaching every part of our University and community," Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft said in a news release Tuesday. "He had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel seen, valued, and cared for. We are deeply saddened by his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to all who were fortunate to know him as a friend." Penn State shared a lengthy statement from former defensive back Adam Taliaferro in its announcement of Sebastianelli's passing. Taliaferro was paralyzed during a game in 2000, and Sebastianelli was a key figure in Taliaferro's immediate care and longtime recovery. Read more: Longtime Penn State director of athletic medicine Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli passes away Taliaferro also posted on X (formerly Twitter) about Sebastianelli. He shared a pair of broken heart emojis. "Doc saved me on the football field 26 years ago," Taliaferro wrote. "From that day he formed a bond with me and my family that went far beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  I'm going to miss him more than I can put into words.  Love and miss you Doc!  My [heart] to the entire Sebastianelli family." Doc saved me on the football field 26 years ago. From that day he formed a bond with me and my family that went far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I’m going to miss him more than I can put into words. Love and miss you Doc! My ❤️ to the entire Sebastianelli family pic.twitter.com/v1tr27abu9 — Adam Taliaferro (@Tali43) May 5, 2026 Former Penn State defensive lineman Devon Still posted on a long recollection of his time with Sebastianelli on Facebook: My freshman and sophomore years at Penn State, I suffered two major injuries: a torn ACL and a broken leg. All I kept hearing from people around me, and all I kept reading in the papers and blogs, was that players are never the same after injuries like those. But before each surgery, you told me to trust you, that I'd come back better than ever. So I did. When I won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year my senior year, you ran up to me with the biggest smile I'd ever seen, hugged me, and said, "Do you know what you just did, after everything you've been through?!" You believed in me when it felt like the football world had given up on me. I'm forever grateful for you. RIP Doc  #PSULegend Here's a look at other tributes to Sebastianelli from the Penn State football community. There were many others from current and former members of the program on many social media platforms: Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas: "Rest Easy Doc, Appreciate you" [via X] Penn State video director Jevin Stone: "When your team Doctor reacts like this on game day you know we're ALL in this TOGETHER!  "Thank you Doc Sebas for your constant wisdom and allowing me to ask you a million health related questions these past 17 years "You will be missed my friend" When your team Doctor reacts like this on game day you know we’re ALL in this TOGETHER! Thank you Doc Sebas for your constant wisdom and allowing me to ask you a million health related questions these past 17 years You will be missed my friend 🙏🏾😔 https://t.co/gz7LkGDmes pic.twitter.com/ggPCoyt2L2 — Jev Lee (@jevlee) May 5, 2026 Former Penn State punter Blake Gillikin: "Spent many hours by his side in clinics and surgeries, watching how kindly he treated every patient and how skillful he was as a surgeon.  Just an unbelievable man who was never too busy for questions from a weird college kid. Thanks for your mentorship, Doc. Rest In Peace" [via X] Former Penn State quarterback Zack Mills: "1 of 1. He was the best. #WeAre" [via X] Former Penn State offensive lineman and current staffer Steven Gonzalez: "Doc was a great man. Always ready to serve every player and took time out of his busy day to get to know each and every player. The Penn State community lost a good one. My condolences to his family, and may God bring his soul eternal peace." [via X] Former Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider: "A good man gone way too soon. SIP Dr. Wayne" [via X] Former Penn State assistant Kermit Buggs: "One June day playing in a Penn State intramural bball game a GA with no health insurance gets under cut and breaks his left humerus bone in his arm.  Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli has to operate immediately. When I look at the scar on my left bicep I will always think of you." [via X] Former Penn State tight end Adam Breneman: "A true Penn State legend. Doc will be missed" [via X] Daniel Gallen covers Penn State for Lions247 and 247Sports. He can be reached at daniel.gallen@cbsinteractive.com. Follow Daniel on X at @danieljtgallen, Instagram at @bydanieljtgallen and Bluesky at @danieljtgallen.bsky.social.