While Boston-area sports fans offered unwavering support for their Patriots in Super Bowl 51, many were left conflicted by the team’s ties to the Trump presidential campaign and current administration. Owner Robert Kraft, star QB Tom Brady, and head coach Bill Belichick have all offered written and verbal statements in support of Donald Trump in the past year, which didn’t sit well with many of the Pats faithful.
History indicates that sports fans have the uncanny ability to keep politics out of their rooting interests, but many on social media were able to reconcile the two thanks to a clever concept dreamt up by a socially responsible New England fan.
The writer behind the cause, Josh Gondelman of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, along with friend Emma Sandoe, inspired Pats fans to donate to causes such as the ACLU and Planned Parenthood every time New England scored, using the hashtag #AGoodGame.
Gondelman set the bar pretty high, pledging $100 for every Pats TD, but halfway into the game, it looked like that might not amount to much. Fortunately – for the charities, but not Falcons fans – the Patriots came together for a history-making comeback that would have netted Gondelman’s causes a cool $400 from four touchdowns and another $100 from two field goals.
Since the Patriots are among the most divisive teams in the history of the NFL, it didn’t take long for Patriots haters to get in on the fun as well, pledging money not just for ATL touchdowns, but for every time Tom Brady was sacked.
Those latter pledges may not have been Gondelman’s intent with the hashtag, but with the way things went yesterday, the Pats TDs and Falcons sacks made for a nice demonstration from fans who got to tie their team allegiances in with some socially responsible generosity.
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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.