Heading into week 4 of the NFL season, storylines were beginning to emerge, trends coming to light, and the season starting to take shape, as it often does about a month or so into September. Unfortunately, the data after just three weeks shows that a staggering 839 players had appeared on NFL injury reports after just three games.
As one would expect with a sport as grueling as professional football, the number of names on the list has grown each week, from 125 in week 1 (prior to the first game), 159 in week 2, 91 in week 3, and 364 names appeared on the list during week 4, prior to Sunday’s games.
To give a sense of scale, Basketball Reference (via Deadspin) states that the entirety of the NBA used 528 roster spots in a season. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see the total injury count for a later week, such as 12 or 13, actually eclipse the total number of players in the NBA.
Not only is this number important (and shocking) as a reflection of the health and wellness of NFL players, but these gaudy numbers also suggest that the on-field product will continue to suffer unless the league puts more safety provisions in place. Not only are starting quarterbacks being injured, but so too are their backups, and in the case of New England Patriots, who saw Tom Brady suspended for the first four games of the season, their backups’ backups.
Here’s a piece that documents some of the biggest injuries in the league that piled up before the season even began:
Now, injury reporting rules shifted somewhat this season, but it’s unlikely those tweaks created much of a difference in whether or not the players listed actually had sustained injuries. Mostly, the revision just spoke to classifications in buckets such as “probably,” “questionable,” and “doubtful.” Similarly, it’s possible to be place on an injury report and still play that week, but, again, it doesn’t change the fact that a player was actually injured in the prior week.
It’s unlikely that any further steps to improve player safety will be made during the season, but it’s possible that as these numbers continue to climb, people will take notice. And if fans and fantasy football players start to register their diapproval with constantly seeing favorite players on the sidelines, then it’s hopeful that more precautions will be put in place next season.
Not likely, but hopeful.
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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.