Since 2002, the best teams in the National Gay Flag Football League have gathered from around the country to crown a Gay Bowl champion. For the first time ever, they’ll have an NFL team supporting them while they do it.
The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will become the first NFL team to sponsor the annual event. The Pats and their owner Bob Kraft have long been supporters of LGBTQ rights, going so far as to sign an amicus brief a few years ago that was filed in support of gay marriage in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled same-sex marriage is a fundamental right. Pats players, including wide receiver Julian Edelman, also showed support for marriage equality in the wake of that Supreme Court decision.
The NGFFL began in 2002 as a way to promote inclusion in sports and to spread a positive social message about the LGBTQ community. The very first Gay Bowl was held in April of that year in Los Angeles, with the LA Motion crushing the San Francisco 69ers by a score of 64-12. The tournament, which is now played every year on Columbus Day weekend, has now grown to nearly 40 North American teams and also features a women’s division.
But, even as the tournament has expanded, a couple teams have taken control of the competition. The San Diego Bolts have claimed the open division title five straight years, while a team from Denver has won every women’s championship.
Boston will host this year’s Gay Bowl, so maybe we’ll see some Patriots execs in attendance to show their support for the league and the event.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
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.