Jeremy Lin is now 28 years old and a solid NBA player for the Brooklyn Nets, but since his hyped debut five years ago, he’s enjoyed one of the most extraordinary rises to success of any athlete in the modern era. Amid “Linsanity,” as Jeremy made the leap from the NBA’s D-League to an overnight star for the New York Knicks, he quickly became the most iconic Asian-American athlete in the country—and with it came the struggle to drown out the taunts of the racist agenda.
Speaking on his teammate Randy Foye’s podcast, Lin recalls that despite the added attention and pressure, the adversity he faced in the NBA paled in comparison to the taunts he endured during his college career as a guard for Harvard.
He recalled on the podcast, via Deadspin:
The worst was at Cornell, when I was being called a ‘chink.’ That’s when it happened. … I ended up playing terrible and getting a couple of charges and doing real out-of-character stuff ... I didn’t say anything because when that stuff happens, I kind of just, I go and bottle up where I go into turtle mode and don’t say anything and just internalize everything.
He attributes the hostility in college to “drunk” students mouthing off. While he continues to endure everything from taunts to slurs to off-color remarks, he says the NBA is a better environment, and he wears his struggles as a “badge of honor.” Since his college days, he’s sought to mentally distance himself from the attacks.
“I take pride in it. It is not a burden to me anymore. I am not scared anymore. I appreciate it and want to help and challenge the world, stereotypes and everything,” he says.
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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.