This was my friend Brian.
Brian came into my life in 2012. He was someone who poured his whole heart into whatever he was doing at the moment. He threw unforgettable fantasy football draft parties, complete with pro wrestling-style entrances for every member. We went to WrestleMania 33, the Royal Rumble, and more than a few tapings of RAW together. He was a true cinephile, with an encyclopedic knowledge of every film genre. Oddly enough, our first outing as friends was to a repertory screening of The Muppets Take Manhattan.
Brian loved music. Punk, Bruce Springsteen, and Orville Peck. He was a devoted New York Giants and Mets fan. He gave the best hugs and always wanted you involved in whatever was going on in his life… whether you were interested or not. He used his connections generously, always looking for ways to bless his friends. In 2016, he even set up a meeting for me with Mark Duplass.
But the greatest thing Brian brought into my life was Liverpool football. It was by far our deepest connection. After the 2014 World Cup, I caught the soccer bug. I knew Brian was a fan, and when I asked him about it, he invited me to my first Liverpool Supporters Meet-Up. There, I was presented with my first kit and became a fan for life. We shared so many highs and lows over the years. Most memorably, the 2019 Champions League Final.
Tragically and unexpectedly, Brian took his own life last night. His suicide note was a four-minute message posted on his podcast feed. I’m left with a thousand questions. I’m not sharing this for sympathy or attention. I’m sharing it because I never want to feel this kind of pain again. Could I have stopped him? Should I have called more often? I’ll never know.
Please, reach out to your people. Tell them you love them. Ask if they’re okay.
And Brian, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
#YNWA