Two days after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick is looking for a new team to sign with, and sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the quarterback will not continue his national anthem protest during the 2017 season.
Kaepernick didn’t stand for the pregame playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” throughout the entire 2016 season because he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," he told Sam Wyche of NFL Media. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."
The 29-year-old quarterback had originally said that he would continue kneeling during the national anthem until he felt the issues of racial oppression were sufficiently resolved. However, sources told ESPN that Kaepernick wanted turn the focus of his advocacy to the organizations he’s supporting instead of the protests.
In addition to kneeling every week, Kaepernick committed to donating $1 million plus his cut of his 2016 jersey sales to organizations committed to social justice. So far, he’s contributed to organizations including Mothers Against Police Brutality, Black Youth Project 100, Communities United for Police Reform, and Causa Justa/Just Cause.
Kaepernick’s protest is ending much the way it began: quietly. Despite the uproar it eventually garnered, his protest started with little fanfare. No one noticed he hadn’t stood for the anthem during the 49ers first two games of the 2016 preseason. But once approached by the media, he became an outspoken advocate for his causes, and others soon followed.
Multiple players across the league either kneeled or raised a fist in solidarity with Kaepernick. High school athletes took knees in unison before their games. Even women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe kneeled prior to a league match for her club team, the Seattle Reign.
Of course, Kaepernick—no stranger to backlash—will face another one now that he’s ended his protest.
Yet, not everyone has been so harsh on the embattled quarterback.
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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.