Fresh off the 2018 draft, NFL teams are finalizing their training camp rosters and getting ready for the first preseason football games in August. Notably absent from any NFL rosters? Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid.
Kaepernick last played in 2016 and was recently invited to work out with the Seattle Seahawks, but talks broke down after Kaepernick refused to say he’d stop kneeling during the national anthem. Last October, Kaepernick filed a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that owners colluded to keep him out of the league over his kneeling protests.
Last week, Reid also filed a collusion suit against the league. He was the first player to begin kneeling alongside Kaepernick and alleges owners have colluded to keep him off the field. Reid was solid with the 49ers last year with 53 tackles, four deflected passes, and two interceptions.
But a day later, legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath spoke up for both Kaepernick and Reid on Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.”
He questioned why they hadn’t been signed. “I think in Eric’s case — and even Kaepernick’s case — they are good enough players to be out there and having a job,” Namath said. “Why aren’t they? I don’t know. I don't believe in the collusion though, I think the NFL is smarter than that.”
NFL legend Joe Namath on @E_Reid35 and @Kaepernick7: "They're good enough players to be out there and having a job." pic.twitter.com/6yBh9L1HYy
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) May 4, 2018
This isn’t the first time Namath has stuck up for Kaepernick. In October 2017, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka claimed there had been no oppression in America over the past 100 years. In an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Namath countered the ignorant comment.
“Look up the meaning of oppression. Look up the definition of oppression, and you understand that it’s obviously taken place,” Namath said. “Going back to what Colin Kaepernick initially did, it was to point out some injustice that’s being done to the black race. Or to people that obviously when you look — and I say obviously, some of these dash cams and shootings that were done to unarmed people and all. He was reaching out to try to get it more investigated. So that’s where this oppression thing comes in.”
When asked if he’d kneel for the anthem, Namath gave a supportive response. “I’m not there, but I’ve never walked in a black man’s shoes either.” Maybe if the league’s owners slipped on a pair of their players' cleats for a moment, they’d understand why Kaepernick and Reid deserve to be on the field.
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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.