Race is a complex issue in America. To discuss it with the understanding it deserves requires empathy, nuance, and context. But sometimes there’s a story where the only appropriate response is, “Who the f%&* let this happen?”
A rec league basketball team in Cincinnati has been kicked out of the league for its offensive jerseys. The boys team for 7 to 12 year olds with the sexually explicit name “Wet Dream Team” also had jerseys featuring the racial slurs “Coon” and “Knee Grow.”
In the fourth game of the Wet Dream Team’s season against West Clermont Middle School, opposing parents complained to the referee about the jerseys and it was shut down at halftime. While the referee’s decision is commendable, it’s mind-boggling that it took four games before anyone did anything about the jerseys.
Tony Rue, an outraged parent from the opposing team, took photos of the jerseys and posted them on Facebook.
Here’s an excerpt from Rue’s post:
“A rec league or not, please explain how this is even remotely considered appropriate for a high school basketball game. From a team name referencing sexual conduct, to offensive and racist nicknames, it was so inappropriate that the coaches of the girls teams that played before us quickly ushered the girls out of the gym so they wouldn’t have to see it...
Could you imagine being an African-American high school kid and seeing these things on the jerseys of the team you are playing and how uncomfortable and unsafe they would feel?
This isn’t a typo, this isn’t a mistake, these are ideas that were thought of, discussed, agreed upon by adults and kids alike, printed on uniforms, social media accounts, registered, and manned, and no one thought this was a bad idea or inappropriate?
The coaches involved in this team should not be allowed to be involved in youth sports ever again, these kids shouldn’t be permitted to be involved in these leagues, and the parents, how, as a parent, do you go to wash your child’s uniform and see “Coon” or “Knee Grow (negro)” and think nothing of it? There is no place for this in recreational, school, or any other level of sports. There must be accountability.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Kerry McKiernan, a Kings Mills school board member resigned because his son was on the infamous Wet Dream Team. “I could have done more. I could have said more,” McKiernan said according to Cincinnati.com. “So to whatever degree I can help the healing, I will.”
The first person who should be held responsible for the offensive jerseys, the Wet Dream Team’s coach, Walt Gill, apologized as well. “We sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by the jerseys,” Gill said in a statement. “We offered to cover them up or change, however the league saw fit to remove us and we have accepted that decision.”
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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.