Since becoming president, Donald Trump has already disinvited two championship teams from visiting the White House: the Super Bowl LII winning Philadelphia Eagles, and the 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors lost their invite after the MVP Steph Curry and his teammates wouldn’t commit to attending the event.
“Not surprised,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said at the time. “He [Trump] was going to break up with us before we could break up with him.”
Trump also canceled an event with the Eagles after he learned that less than 10 players said they would attend.
Now, Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron says that he’d also refuse a trip to the White House if invited today for one simple reason: “There’s nobody there I want to see,” he told The Atlanta-Journal Constitution while speaking at the Hank Aaron Champion for Justice Awards, adding, “I can understand where the players are coming from. I really do. I understand they have their own issues and things they feel conviction about. They have a right to that, and I probably would be the same way, there’s no question about it.”
As someone who spent two decades in the limelight, Aaron appreciates the activism of today’s stars.
“To be honest, I feel somewhat guilty that I didn’t do possibly as much as I could have done,” Aaron said. “We didn’t get to where we are today because we kept our mouth closed or scratched our head and sat and didn’t do anything. If you have an opinion, then you should voice it and let people know that is your opinion and you’re not speaking for anybody but yourself.”
On this date in 1974: Hank Aaron hit No. 715 to pass Babe Ruth for No. 1 on the all-time home run list. pic.twitter.com/AUd7wbGaIB
— ESPN (@espn) April 8, 2018
Although Aaron may not have been outspoken in his playing days, he faced a vicious campaign of hate with a dignity that was louder than words. While chasing Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in the early ‘70s, bigots from across the country sent him so much hate mail, the U.S. post office gave him a plaque for receiving more letters than any other American (not including politicians).
As the biggest star on the first Major League Baseball team in the Deep South, Aaron also broke racial boundaries.
“He became the first black man for whom white fans in the South cheered,” said Georgia native and former U.S. president, Jimmy Carter. “A humble man who did not seek the limelight, he just wanted to play baseball, which he did exquisitely.”
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.