Sportsmanship is too broad — and too important — of an art form to describe in a small quote. But some of the greatest athletes who have ever lived have summed it up like this:
“You’ve got to be able to lose in grace and win in grace.” — Michael Jordan
“The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.” — Martina Navratilova
“Sportsmanship is making sure you have respect for the guy you’re playing across from.” — Warren Moon
A new video from Minnesota, which has since gone viral, shows a young man who appears to have perfected the highest art of sportsmanship at a young age.
Ty Koehn, a pitcher for Mounds View High School in Minnesota, was on the mound for the final out in a sectional championship game. Up to bat was his close friend, Jack Kocon, of Totino-Grace High School.
Koehn struck out his friend to end the game, sending his team to the state championships.
But instead of celebrating with his teammates on the mound, he made a beeline to his buddy to console him in his defeat.
This high school pitcher chose to hug his childhood friend instead of celebrate his championship-clinching strikeout.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 11, 2018
Story: https://t.co/omJqeRk899 pic.twitter.com/gIP5OFHTcp
Here’s another angle.
When consoling a childhood friend is a little more important than immediately celebrating a trip to the state championship.
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 11, 2018
(via @bringmethenews) pic.twitter.com/BSlbXMKrC2
For Koehn, it’s just what friends do. “We are very close friends,” he told Bring Me the News. “I knew him from all the way back when we were 13. We were on the same little league team. It was tough when we went to separate schools but we kept in touch.”
Koehn’s coach, Mark Downey, wasn’t surprised by the teenager’s behavior.
“Ty’s actions the other night do not surprise me and are reflective of what I might expect from any one of the players on the team,” Downey said to Bring Me the News. “All really great kids, just a joy to be around on a daily basis.”
Koehn and the Mound View Mustangs move on to play the No. 2 seed Stillwater in the state Class 4A quarterfinals on Thursday, June 14.
“I knew the game was going to keep going or it was going to end right there,” Koehn added. “I knew I had to say something. Our friendship is more important than just the silly outcome of a game. I had to make sure he knew that before we celebrated.”
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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.