A Mesa, Arizona boys high school soccer team is making headlines for their refusal to play against another squad that fielded a co-ed team consisting of mostly boys and two girl players. Faith Christian Christian School refused to take the field and accepted a forfeit after asking the opposing team, Foothills Academy College Prep, to sit their girl players and field a team of all boys.
Foothills Academy had, earlier in the season, accommodated a similar request and sat their two female players, but this time around, the boys on the team agreed that they weren’t taking the field without their team in its entirety. The previous decision not to play the girls, sisters Alyssa and Colette Hocking, was made by their mother.
Upon forfeiting, Faith Christian cited religious beliefs in their decision to cancel the game. Dick Buckingham, an administrator for Faith Christian, issued a statement on the matter, presumably aware that his school’s decision would draw both attention and criticism.
He said via public statement:
I know it appears to fly in the face of what everyone is wanting to promote today, and that is equality. It is based on a religious perspective that God created guys and girls differently. The difference physically, there is a strength advantage that men have over women. We want to teach our men that honor of ladies is just not in sports. We struggle how to teach that if we're allowing them to play against young ladies in a competitive game.
We're the ones harmed because we're giving up a game. We think it's better to do that than give a mixed message.
The coach of the co-ed team, Steve Rains, stood by his players’ decision, saying, “They would not play without their team. They felt the girls earned the right to be on the team. And they won't play without them."
However, he respected the right of Faith Christian to adhere to their religious beliefs but didn’t necessarily agree with them, stating, "That's their beliefs. I have my own beliefs. I am not one to judge that. But, personally, I think we're all humans. Even though it's a boys league, it doesn't say girls can't play. Girls can play, in my opinion."
The girls on Foothills Academy’s team joined because there was no girls soccer team at the school, and the conference rules permit girls to play on the boys team. Foothills Academy’s only loss of the season came during the one game that the girls were sidelined.
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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.