Much has been made of concussion protocols and CTE studies of NFL players over the past decade, but even with advances and open discussion, there’s an element of fear and suspense that players might be struggling with the affliction and not even know it. Recently, former Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck opened up to ESPN about his concerns over his certainty that he has CTE and what he’s endured since leaving the game.
Wycheck is best known for his role in the Titan’s last-second victory in the 1999 Wild Card game known to all football fans as Music City Miracle.
Despite the fact that he finds his disclosures about his taking anxiety and depression medications “kind of creepy” because “People don’t want to hear about morbid stuff like that,” but he felt that the need for transparency and open discussion outweighed his reservations. He suffers from regular migraines that he’s positive are the result of a football career in which he estimates he amassed 25 concussions since grade school.
When he was as young as five, Wycheck recalls having “dings and flashes” upon impacts with other players, and now says that if he had a son (He has two daughters), we would let him play the game, but not before age 12, when early studies suggest the risk of long-term damage drops significantly.
Wycheck, who has already planned to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation for study, is preparing for another round of testing for purposes of both study and diagnosis.
He serves as co-host of a radio show “The Wake-Up Zone” in Nashville, but his migraines, along with agoraphobia and depression have caused him to miss work on several occasions. Despite his hardships, he doesn’t regret his career choice and isn’t looking for sympathy for his current state:
"I don't want this to be a pity party, 'Oh poor Frank’. I wouldn't change anything in the world. I've had a blessed life, great opportunities to meet great people, raise my family and be able to take care of my family the way I could. I couldn't do that without football. And it was the thing I had as a goal since I was 5 years old."
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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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.