With the NFL’s controversy over players’ national anthem protests still raging on with no end or mutually agreeable solution in sight, the NBA is making sure that the same no-win scenario doesn’t befall its league as the season’s tip-off nears.
Unlike the NFL, the NBA’s rules do include language requiring players to stand for the national anthem, which allows the league’s policy to remain, at least optically, uncolored by current events.
Reiterating that language, the NBA sent out a memo, which was leaked to ESPN, underlining the policy and possible discipline for any players or coaches who don’t abide.
The memo was issued to all teams from the office of deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, and aimed to remind organizations they “do not have the discretion to waive,” individually or collectively, the rule, which is stated below in a screenshot.
Tatum’s missive echoes the recent comments by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who historically has maintained a progressive stance both in the league’s policymaking and in its hands-off approach to players speaking out on social issues. "It's been a rule as long as I've been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem," Silver said at a league meeting on Friday, the same day the memo was issued.
The memo reportedly suggests that teams can comment on current affairs, should they so choose, with a joint statement prior to their first home games.
While the pre-existing rule requiring players to stand during the national anthem may save the league from criticism surrounding a reactionary policy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that players will obey. For that matter, it also doesn’t mean that discipline is imminent in a league in which 74.4% of its players are black.
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
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.