The Oakland Raiders have settled a class action lawsuit brought by the team’s cheerleaders, alleging a litany of unfair pay practices, ending a three-year legal battle that served as the catalyst for similar action against other NFL teams.
The complaint claimed that the Raiders paid the cheerleaders less than minimum wage, denied legitimate entitlements to overtime pay, and failed to reimburse them for necessary business expenses.
The proposed settlement was reached in the fall of 2014, but trailing legal issues and disagreements kept the money from being distributed to the cheerleaders until this week. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle (via Deadspin), an attorney for one of the cheerleaders saw the victory as largely symbolic, since retroactively having one’s wages increased to minimum wage three years after the fact can hardly be considered a windfall.
The response by advocacy groups is a resounding, “What the hell took so long?”
The suit, which has served as the framework for several other lawsuits against NFL teams with similar practices, claimed that the cheerleaders were paid just $125 per game with a lengthy and diverse roster of fines that the cheerleaders were subject to should they wear the wrong nail polish or show up minutes late. The complaint also alleged that the cheerleaders’ game day efforts, for which they were paid the $125, were nine-hour affairs with no breaks or meals.
The shockingly strict and unjust working conditions made in the complaint can be seen here:
Further, payment for all games was deferred until the end of the season.
The Los Angeles Times estimates that the lawsuit will adjust their compensation from the $1,250 they were paid annually to $3,200—without taking into account the lawyers’ fees and retroactive income tax.
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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.