Future NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson was an outspoken player during his 18-year career with the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers. But retirement hasn’t silenced the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner. Now he’s speaking his mind as the newest analyst on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. Yesterday, Woodson didn’t sidestep a controversial issue when he admitted that Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the national anthem changed his thoughts on a song he stood up for during his playing days.
Here are some of Woodson’s thoughts on Sunday NFL Countdown:
“Standing up there on that sideline and singing that national anthem, the flags is open and the whole nine—that was one of the great joys of my life, right? And so what happens is when they have these protests you start looking at different things. And then you go back and you look at the author of the national anthem, right? He had slaves. You look at Francis Scott Key, he was a slave owner. So now as I’m thinking about the national anthem, and I hear that line ‘for the land of the free’ he wasn’t talking about me.”
Woodson also believes that Kaepernick has been unfairly criticized as being disrespectful:
“We talk about him protesting and being disrespectful. He didn’t pull his shoulder pads off and run around the stadium and go grab some prop and run around and be disruptive. Nah, he sat down in peaceful protest. If I was in the military and I looked over there and I saw this man protesting, in peace, I would actually feel proud that, as a military man (or woman), that the freedom that I go across these waters and fight for, that’s it excercised with this young man sitting down.”
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.