With the USC Trojans up by 17 points over the Western Michigan Broncos and just 3:13 left in the fourth quarter, few football fans realized that the most exciting play of, not just the game, but the entire first week of college football, was ahead. Following a timeout, USC long-snapper Jake Olson took to the field to send the ball from the line of scrimmage to the holder for an extra point attempt by the kicker. Despite being such a common play in a game whose outcome appeared decided, the crowd roared. Jake Olson’s dream was about to come true.
Olson has been blind since childhood, having lost both eyes to retinal cancer. His left eye was removed when he was 10 months old; the cancer returned when he was 12, and doctors were forced to remove his right eye, rendering him legally blind. However, his dream was to play college football — more specifically, college football for USC. In 2015, Olson was awarded a scholarship reserved for players with disabilities and began practicing with the team. With the time waning in the fourth quarter against WMU, Olson finally walked on to the field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
He was finally getting his shot, but with the pressure and scrutiny that comes with it for any college athlete.
The snap was straight and the kick was good.
Olson’s appearance required planning by Trojans head coach Clay Helton and Western Michigan’s play-caller, Tim Lester. Earlier in the week, USC coach Helton approached Lester to express his hope that Olson could participate in the game in light of the safety issues present for both sides. The two worked out an arrangement: USC wouldn’t rush its defense on the WMU’s first extra-point attempt, and when the time came for USC to put in Olson, Helton would notify the WMU bench, and the Broncos would pay the Trojans the same courtesy.
Just seconds after Olson’s snap, the play was over and the celebration began on both sides.
The on-field festivities, including raucous celebration from the stands, were short-lived only because there was more football to be played. However, after the clock expired and USC won, the attention turned back to Olson.
For his performance, Olson has been named the PAC-12’s Special Teams Player of the Week.
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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.