Brian Schaefering played just 40 NFL games as a defensive lineman for the Browns, Jets, and Cowboys from 2009 to 2012, but the effects of a life in football have been a nightmare. At just 33, he needs his left shoulder replaced, has torn ligaments in his other shoulder, a bulging disk in his neck and five in his back, a torn labrum in his right hip, and persistent pain in his ankles and knees. He battles severe depression, anxiety, and last January attempted suicide. For nine months, Schaefering was unable to leave the house until a new teammate came into his life, a service dog named Niklaus.
After hearing about Schaefering’s neurological impairments, the NFL sent him to a treatment facility in Michigan where he met military vets and found a new support system for his mental and physical struggles. At the facility, counselors suggested that Schaefering get a service dog to assist with his mobility and anxiety issues. But Schaefering’s size and physical ailments meant that finding and training the right dog could take up to ten years and cost $25,000. Once Schaefering thought all hope was lost, a former teammate put him in touch with Richard Starks a dog trainer who had worked with the French Foreign Legion and the South Korean ROK Marines.
Starks got to work and located a Dutch Shepherd named Niklaus who was exceptionally trained and has the perfect temperament to be a service dog. Starks taught Niklaus new skills including how to block and cover Schaefering if crowds get too close and a variety of mobility-assist skills. Niklaus also provides emotional support for Schaefering’s anxiety and depression. “There were times when I had to walk away, when I had to distance myself from everybody,” Schaefering told Bleacher Report. “When I’m feeling that way, he’ll come up and almost sit on my lap. He’ll put his head on my shoulder to comfort me and help me calm down.”
Although Schaefering still wakes up in constant pain and constantly battles his neurological impairments, Niklaus has made drastic improvements to his quality of life. “He’s helping me to be more of the person I used to be,” Schaefering said. “I’m doing more laughing and joking with my kids, where I really didn’t before. I had to force myself to.” Schaefering’s experience with Niklaus led him to create an outreach program that connects people, including former NFL players, with service dogs. “I’m hoping to be the face, to get out there and tell people my story,” he said. “I want to explain how this has helped me.”
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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.