In 2001, during the NFL’s offseason, WWE founder Vince McMahon and NBC came together to create the XFL. The XFL promised a return to old-school, smashmouth football that featured scantily clad cheerleaders and players who wore nicknames on their jerseys.
17 years later, the most memorable aspects of the league are probably Rod Smart’s “He Hate Me” jersey and the innovative Skycam, which would eventually be adopted by the NFL.
Although McMahon made a two-year deal with NBC to broadcast XFL games, NBC pulled out after the first season of its broadcast contract, citing poor viewership. Now, whether sports fans care or not, McMahon has announced the XFL is set to return in 2020.
“The new XFL will kick off in 2020, and quite frankly we’re going to give the game of football back to fans,” McMahon said in a press conference. “It’s still football, but it’s football re-imagined.” McMahon also announced the league will begin with eight teams and would avoid being politicized. “As far as our league is concerned, it will have nothing to do with politics and nothing to do with social issues,” McMahon said.
"Our approach to presenting games will be multi-platform, which will allow us to engage fans and customize the viewing experience in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago." - @VinceMcMahon #XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/eVqmqgWyjr
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2018
There is no TV network associated with the league at the time of this posting, but McMahon may make games available through streaming. “As we re-imagine the game, we re-imagine the way we distribute the game. … It’s going to be a combination of any number of forms of presentation,” McMahon said.
Fans are already speculating about former NFL players they want to see back on the field in the XFL. The three names that keep popping up are quarterbacks Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, and Colin Kaepernick.
Johnny Manziel RN #XFL pic.twitter.com/KqkYtdahYS
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) January 25, 2018
Tim Tebow when he hear The XFL was coming back... pic.twitter.com/LZEU1AfKZX
— Karl Marx Zuckerberg (@sideshowRaheem) January 25, 2018
XFL 2.0 Opening Night:
— Dan Budick (@DanBudick) January 25, 2018
Tim Tebow vs. Johnny Manziel... calling it now
Colin Kaepernick would be the greatest quarterback in XFL history
— Patriots doin it for Dallas (@Game_Phreak845) January 25, 2018
Kaepernick will be a star in the new XFL
— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) January 25, 2018
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.