This was supposed to be a quiet off-season for Colin Kaepernick. The 28-year-old quarterback hasn’t been himself the last few years but a new coach and a QB friendly system in San Francisco offered hope for the once promising young passer.
But now, Kaepernick is the source of some very different attention after sitting down while the national anthem played before his team’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick said in an interview with NFL Media afterward. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Reaction to his gesture, and especially his comments afterward, have been swift. The NFL released a statement that neither praised nor condemned him, but stood by the right of players to make their own decisions about partaking in national anthem ceremonies:
“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose and participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”
Of course, a number of football fans disagreed with the move. One video showing a “lifelong 49ers fan” burning Kaepernick’s jersey while playing the national anthem has already been viewed nearly 10 million times.
Others have criticized Kaepernick, saying his multimillion dollar salary and celebrity athlete status shield him from the injustices many other minorities suffer. While others said his gesture is an insult to the men and women who serve in America’s military. His teammates also held a closed meeting in which those agreeing with and disagreeing with is decision hashed out their differences and came out “unified” as teammates respecting each other’s political and personal beliefs.
For his part, Kaepernick went out of his way to issue a second statement offering support for members of military while simultaneously saying he will continue to sit through the anthem until, “I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to.”
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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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.