THE BEST DAY

In which John's joy is unfettered, uncontained, and ongoing. A light-soaked day is here as AFC Wimbledon take on Milton Keynes. I got to be at the game, and magic happened.
It's not easy to wax poetic over the sound of my singing "Franchise are [redacted] everywhere they go," but I persevered.
Video sources:
Lex Croucher, the author who caught it all on tape: lexcanroar...
Stuart Hyatt, who recorded a bunch of the stuff in the pub. / stuarthyatt
Mikey T's commentary: / 1764203131682885893
The reverse angle: / 1763964375809798573
Footage from the pub by Antony Brown on facebook
----
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[@hankschannel]

Huge fan of how hoarse your voice is 😂

[@bvdv47]

Missed opportunity to make some kind of play on words with the English and horses.

[@AdaSoto]

I can't wait for the next episode of Dear Hank and John. The news from AFC Wimbledon is going to be an intense segment.

[@Respectable_Username]

@@bvdv47It was indeed a little hoarse. A poany, one might say 😛

[@MattSitton]

None pizza with left beef 🍕🍖🫡

[@finnhuggs421]

Hey, newton does this fun thought experiment in the scholium to proposition 4 of book three of the Principa where a small moon “nearly touches the tops of the highest mountains.” What would this look like and what effect would it have on the earth? 🌏 :)

[@Julesdoesstuff]

Thanks for assuring us that the ball boy was okay, I was worried 😂

[@TheRockybulwinkle]

Same!

[@grantbaugh2773]

Despite having seen this comment at the beginning of the video, I was also very worried about the ball boy

[@jaybehkay2438]

Me too!!

[@nancyg7845]

Same! He just disappeared under a mountain of players and fans 😅😅😅

[@mikamekaze]

I saw that pile up and thought "is that kid dead?"

[@QuirkyGeek17]

"I don't need you to love football. I only need you to love something that brings you together with others whose love is pointing in the same direction." - John Green

[@monty5066]

That sentence made my eyes water. Gold.

[@KikiAelita]

I'm gonna add it to my classroom quote wall. At the moment, it joins only quotes from video games.

[@MatthewOliphant]

I hope I find that someday.

[@yuriination]

The closest thing I've got to that are online communities. But most of us never leave the house. And the only thing that I truly, *TRULY* care that our love is facing the same direction on, is voting for Biden to save our democracy in the upcoming election. Or voting *against* Trump. Call it whichever one makes you more comfortable but nothing in this country is as meaningful or as in support of *community*, as that. It's *DIRE*, not just for this election but every election, henceforth. Without our freedom and democracy *EVERY* community will fall apart. Many even within the Nerdfighters community could fall and be the next Nex Benedict. So I hope everyone who felt moved by the big win on the field and the singing in the pub takes that same energy to the voting booth. This is a game we CANNOT afford to lose. We *MUST* win and not just by 1 goal if we are to save the soul of our country.

[@hopegold883]

Like Nerdfighteria?

[@franny5156]

I don't know exactly why but when the commentator lost his cool and started shouting I started bawling... I don't exactly care for football(or soccer I guess) but I have always liked the story of an underdog. Congratulations Afc Wimbledon fans, you deserve it

[@marshm3llow467]

That was the best part! Had me crying too :)

[@Oakleaf012]

Same, I’ve never cared anything about sports but I just started grinning and crying with joy watching them celebrate

[@lisahislop6839]

Totally quit soccer the first day we had to play in the rain and here I am with tears running down my face 🥹 full circle ❤

[@vlogbrothers]

You're one of us now, Franny, whether you like it or not ;) -John

[@ErinCrook]

For someone who has probably never watched a full game of football (or anything really) in their life, it's strange but lovely to have a special place where I come to cry my eyes out about football

[@abdullahenani9670]

Singing “I can’t help falling in love” in the pub was the best choice.

[@samsontheladle]

Something about hearing a group of happy men, something we don't encounter all that often, singing such a tender song... It's gonna stick in my brain for a while. I'm not sure I've ever heard that sound.

[@theresa49]

You might like this then, it's a group of English men in a pub singing Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKakd2pniruAisUsi=vBidm05LiizU1Gr-

[@BlueInkAlchemy]

@@samsontheladle The fans of the Portland Timbers, at the 83rd minute of the match, also sing this song together. Hearing it being sung by a pub full of Brits warms my heart. It drives home the point that, despite it being a different team in the different part of the world, we all love this sport, we all love our players, and we all find ways to love each other. And that's what matters.

[@3countylaugh]

@@BlueInkAlchemy was on the loosing side of this recently (Go Rapids) it was good anyway!

[@tywinderbaum5283]

It really fucking was

[@Idefilms]

This feels like The Anthropocene Reviewed again. John's memoir continues to write itself every Tuesday ❤

[@abdullahenani9670]

“I wasn’t even in my body, I was in some light soaked plain of existence where all hope is rewarded.” perfectly describes how I felt that moment.

[@SolaceEasy]

Plane, BTW. Like geometric.

[@abdullahenani9670]

@@SolaceEasy I typed so fast I didn’t notice 😅

[@hopegold883]

Yeah. I mean, it sucks when your team looses. But the lows are never as low as the highs are high.

[@andrewduke93]

I was almost expecting John to be like "I give Wimbelton beating Milton Keynes at home 5 stars" like this was the anthropocene reviewed.

[@onefingersalute]

I love these types of video but they make me miss the anthropocene reviewed so much.

[@TheBeccabus]

I reckon he'd break his own scale for this and give it 6. At least

[@melanieodhner4686]

"I give Wimbelton beating Milton Keynes at home a perfect hot bath out of 5 stars"

[@julianatheis5556]

He did in his heart

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

I think this would get 6

[@aceface3333]

Whenever John talks about AFC Wimbledon it's got big "Nerd discovers sports are fun actually" vibes and I love that for him.

[@Zhiperser]

I don't think it's ever a discovery though. He's been a fan of soccer (football) his entire life.

[@knaughta.masso-kist5944]

That's everyone else in this community lol, John's been a sports fan since he was a kid.

[@jijitters]

That is something that will never happen to me no matter how old I get haha But John's always been there!

[@larrywhite03]

Thank you for realizing the good side of being a sports fan. Now just imagine how good it would feel if you actually played ON the team :) worlds colliding. Science important but sports have some good in them too ❤

[@nathanjones5012]

IM THE GUY SINGING WITH JOHNNIE ! 🤣 pleasure to meet you John, thank you for your years of support in all forms ❤

[@morgaaaaaa]

you look so chuffed !!

[@lynnaschaefer]

Johnnie 🥹🥹🥹

[@munjee2]

You know on my phone every comment above this one is hearted, I want believe it's because you called him "Johnnie"

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

yay!!

[@nathanjones5012]

@@munjee2 that’s his name 🤣

[@LibbyStephenson]

"Crochet, or Jane Austen, or distance running" - how did John know what all of my hobbies are?

[@Khakasa]

+++😅

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

+

[@Debbie-jm1mz]

Same. I love crocheting/knitting and I love love love Jane Austen 😂

[@abdullahenani9670]

Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important.

[@placeholderdoe]

That and Dr.Pepper

[@PatrickJarrett]

For those unfamiliar with this quote, it's something said by Pope John Paul II. "Out of all the unimportant things, football is the most important"

[@parkerbond9400]

Such a beautiful line!

[@pjposullivan]

@@PatrickJarrett that's the great goalkeeper, Pope John Paul II.

[@ChrisHallbeck]

I’m so happy you were there for this. 😊😊😊

[@zam6877]

There is nothing NOTHING like seeing in person Especially a local team

[@goredgord]

That ballboy disappearing took my breath away. Both with fear for his safety, and just the sense of joy. That's just an unbelievable core memory for a child, wild wild joy

[@bendubz9000]

Never has a yellow card for excessive celebration been worried about less. John, AFC Wimbledon were the away team in the first game I ever attended. 5th January 2008, Maidstone United 1-2 AFC Wimbledon, Isthmian Premier. That game was played in Sittingbourne because we, like Wimbledon, had to start again from the bottom because of a crook killing our club. It wasn't until 2012 that we finally returned home. What happened last week was simply beautiful. First, getting to see my hometown where I never imagined they'd ever be, ending a fairytale run in defeat, but also in glory, with nearly 5000 travelling fans in attendance. And then seeing Wimbledon beat the Franchise currently residing in Milton Keynes at the death in front of your own fans. It's success stories like this that make football so wonderful. Underdogs punching above their weight to create magic

[@NinaDmytraczenko]

I bet even the referee gave the yellow card with a smile on their face

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

Reading this is awesome in the literal sense. DFTBA

[@gmarie3]

I'm 70 and I don't follow sports much. That said, when I was in high school, my school's team was playing the other HS team in our town. We'd NEVER beaten them. With under a minute left in the game, we were losing again and most of the people in the stands had filed out. It was in those last few seconds that our QB threw a long pass which resulted in a longer run and a touchdown that won the game! Those of us remaining lost our minds with joy, jumping up and down, laughing and screaming. To this day, that moment remains one of the most joyous moments of my life. I'll never forget it.

[@dasaf.2382]

What a lovely memory, thank you for sharing

[@Gracexplosion]

I feel like John lived a Ted Lasso episode. This is so pure and so joyful! What a wonderful moment of community, unity, love, and passion. So happy for you and your team!

[@darkmooink69]

It wouldn’t surprise me if afc Wimbledon wasn’t the 4th most mentioned team in the ted lasso writing room, the only reason it’s so low is the others are main characters (Richmond, man c and spers)

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

To be fair, I did wonder if the AFC part of 'AFC Richmond' was a deliberate homage to AFC Wimbledon, plus them being a South London club as well ^_^ Ofc their kit and that is based around Crystal Palace, which makes sense given they filmed the match scenes at Selhurst Park!

[@parkerbond9400]

Ted Lasso wishes he could be John.

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

+

[@pian816]

With Jamie Tartt's actor being a fan of AFC Wimbledon (partly _due_ to John, I'm pretty sure), I wouldn't be surprised.

[@josephcorridon9314]

It's incredible timing that this video comes out as soon as I get home from a concert that will almost surely go down as the best live concert I will ever experience. The lead singer got down into the crowd and I was one of the people he sang with. I don't love football, but The National do give that same feeling of ecstacy and hope rewarded.

[@Idefilms]

Oh dang, that sounds AMAZING! So happy for you.

[@claris3056]

Aaahh, I love The National! You’re so lucky, that sounds amazing!! 😁😁😁

[@juliesmallwood8656]

Love The National! And live music was what I thought of too. I'm a huge Frank Turner fan (I bet you'd like him too), and the first time I attended his annual festival Lost Evenings, I cried with joy at being with MY PEOPLE, all total strangers but they all deeply loved the same thing I deeply loved. So beautiful.

[@ColbyHerman]

Not me, weeping with joy for a team I don't know playing a sport I've never watched.

[@mgradiant]

Nah man, you’re one of us now. Welcome to the club. There’s coffee and donuts in the foyer.

[@YAOES]

I’m… crying? Why am I crying?

[@cholten99]

Came here to say the same thing - and I don't even like football. John's call to the power of community reaches into everyone's hearts.

[@m.c24601]

+

[@APerson863]

The unfettered joy and energy is contagious. It is in human nature to see the absolute ecstasy of others, and not be able to help but feel the same. Tears of second hand joy

[@untappedinkwell]

I've got tissues for anyone who needs them! **passes tissue box**

[@nitidiuscula]

same!!!

[@bumblewyn]

"But for you it could be crochet," John says to me... while I'm crocheting :')

[@dan5827]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@buffienguyen]

+++

[@TheSkyCrystals]

+

[@NinaDmytraczenko]

Ooh, I wanna know more! What's your current project?

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

+

[@FlyKiwi]

Around 3:10 if you look on the left side about halfway up you can see Joe going absolutely mental with a Nerdfighter flag. My god, we were screaming and hugging each other and jumping up and down. It didn't even feel real at first, it's like it's only just now sinking in that we did it and what this must mean for those who were there at the first open try out on Wimbledon Common to finally see us beat the franchise at home, at HOME home, and have almost 8,000 wombles screaming in joy.

[@untappedinkwell]

So, so happy for you.

[@beccafranklin6683]

I asked my dad (he’s 72) what he knew about the Wimbledon football teams. We live in London and he’s always been interested in most sports, including lower division football. He knew about the move to Milton Keynes, and the new Wimbledon club, and he told me all about it. We watched your video together and he really enjoyed seeing them win. It was also quite interesting trying to explain about vlogbrothers to my dad. Moments like this create nice memories, and the effect ripples out.

[@abdullahenani9670]

I wished I could be there, but I felt everything through the screen, I was screaming, shouting and kicking my feet for that goal :)

[@toastcalm]

"To be in community is to be more fully alive." Amen John, great video.

[@DtWolfwood]

Ball boy got to be at the center of it all. Glad he's fine and very happy for him to have that memory now. It's always exciting when your team beats their rival. Happy for them. 🎉

[@darkmooink69]

Most of the home fans will remember that moment for the rest of their lives, that ball boy will compare that moment to all future moments and very few will surpass it.

[@notactuallytesco]

Not a rival, just a sham that shouldn't be allowed to exist.

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

I love telling people about how I adopted this magical club, and only after three years did I find out about you and Nerdfighteria, and I've ended up meeting some of my best friends ever through that special crossover of football and nerds. The League 2 Playoff Final in 2016 was one of the happiest days of my life, and I even recognise several of the Nerdfighters at 3:42 from that special day - and you too John! We had a brief chat pre-game, and then a longer chat post-game a few months later after a rousing 3-0 win over Gillingham. Memories that last a lifetime, that I'll always be grateful for, and I love how much Wimbledon itself has embraced you and us Nerdfighters - the players and coaching staff, and big Johnnie Jackson himself, all united and out with the fans. Sportsball is the BEST. And those scenes from the winning goal. The definition of absolute LIMBS.

[@spriddlez]

I am not a sports person but seeing all the fans filled with joy brought a big smile to my face. It makes me think of this Brene Brown quote: "Show up for collective moments of joy and pain so we can actually bear witness to inextricable human connection. Women and men with the strongest true belonging practices maintain their belief in inextricable connection by engaging in moments of joy and pain with strangers." Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

[@AludraEltaninAltair]

Brené Brown Hank & John Green Dolly Parton Fred Rogers Levar Burton Carl Sagan These are the (famous) people whose approach to the world helps me drag my weary soul to tomorrow and the next day and the next.

[@RebeccaEWebber]

Thank you. My husband is autistic and has some social trauma but this year he's set the goal to find community. Your language about finding something for us all to be specifically excited about with others will help me continue to encourage him. ❤

[@3countylaugh]

I hope he finds the best of people! And you too!

[@RebeccaEWebber]

@@3countylaugh thank you sweet human!

[@NinaDmytraczenko]

It sounds like the two of you are on the right track already: empathetic and open to connection Best of luck, and know that it's ok if it takes a while. This sort of thing can't be forced, and can take time even for us extroverts :)

[@sh4rku5]

i've never liked traditional sports, but you and hank speak about how i feel about skateboarding. when i was a kid, times were hard. i had no social skills and home was abusive. but then i discovered skateboarding at 13 and it changed my life for the better in a permanent way. to this day, 25 years later, i can meet someone who also loves it and there's an instant connection. skateboarding is for everyone. double leg amputees, the blind, people with autism, those who are working through trauma... you fall in love with skateboarding and you're one of us. forever. it was crazy watching this video as a skater and being able to understand its message of threading humanity together and creating communities that are accessible to everyone.

[@TreighseeSugar]

Have they played Pokémon Go?

[@traxathon4464]

Not everyone realizes there's something truly special about a commentator for a team who is a bigger fan than any other fan and will inject their excitement straight into your veins. As a Seattle Mariners fan, we had that with Dave Niehaus (RIP). I'm glad you folks seem to have that with Mikey T.

[@crains8087]

RIP Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers

[@codygerard4193]

I'm a Mets fan and while we have Gary Cohen who is every bit as good as Dave was, there are few if any calls that rival Dave's call of The Double.

[@3countylaugh]

I still listen to Dave on OLD MLB audio Archive, you can still find him and his "grand salami with mustard" when you need him!

[@johndavenport2847]

I don't get why broadcasters like Bally's (who do many TV baseball broadcasts) really don't have homers calling their games.

[@MKPiatkowski]

Tom Cheek (RIP) for us Jays fans. "Touch 'em all Joe! You'll never hit a bigger one in your life." That call came because he was really afraid in the jumping that Carter would miss a bag. Legendary.

[@bradnarraway9141]

The whole pub singing "Can't Help Falling In Love" is a bit of cultural exchange that even my old cynical heart can enjoy. Thanks for this video, John. How fun to see the boys get a bit of long-desired revenge against Milton Keynes.

[@DeadnCold]

I don't love Football, but I love your joy for Football John. Never stop sharing it with us.

[@geographconcept7523]

teared up a little at "we have a women's team and several youth teams". I sure do love Community

[@herothebard]

I love that sentiment “I don’t need you to love football, I only need you to love something that brings you together with others whose love is pointing in the same direction. For me it is football and for you it could be crochet, or Jane Austin or distance running, but to be bound up with others with friends and strangers alike is the human condition. And to be in community is to be for me anyways more fully alive.” I wish that of us all that we have or find ourselves in community and that together we can feel less alone and more in love with ourselves and our lives. DFTBA

[@rebadenman3640]

I’ve never really cared about sports, but it is impossible to get the news from a sports team every week for years and not be a bit invested. Go Dons!

[@kale4049]

I was so happy to be included when crochet was the first alternative to football that you offered. Great video John!

[@adamantiness]

I fall in love in Wimbledon F.C. in the mid 80's listening on their results on BBC world sports studio, and "watching" them on teletext, partially confirming Gary Lineker's theory, that the only way to watch Wimbledon is on teletext 😊. What attracted me most at that time, was Dons unpredictability and craziness. Approximately 35 years later, best wishes from Bulgaria 🇧🇬 to AFCW, from the Great Uncle Bulgaria 👍!

[@Alpenglow.52]

“Some light-soaked plane of existence, where all hope is rewarded.”🌅

[@brianmiller1077]

Sounds like game 7 the 2016 World Series for me and every long suffering Cubs fan.

[@SomeShavedSheep]

Now that thats out of the way. Can i just say how wonderful it is that its today? And that we’re here? Hell yes.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Because we're here.

[@geeksdo1tbetter]

Because we're here.

[@nicholasozorak2931]

Because we're here@@geeksdo1tbetter

[@eclaasse]

I'm not particularly a footie fan, but tears sprang to my eyes at the unmitigated joy pouring out of those players after the goal as they surrounded the ball kid. I'm glad you have a thing you love, John. It is a beautiful game.

[@d4rk0v3]

The place I'm in in life right now is a very, very dark place. The pure joy and happiness in this video brought tears to my eyes. It may be just a game to many, but the bond, joy and happiness shared among the fans is infectious and it lifted my spirits today. Thank you for sharing.

[@anby1237]

Keep your chin up ❤️

[@untappedinkwell]

may light soaked days be in your future.

[@TheRandomView]

Hearing a regular group of blokes singing at the end, brought tears to my eyes. The sound of fellowship. Beautiful!

[@cogspace]

I adore that moment right before unexpected triumph, where that opening is created, and everyone sees it, where the stupendous inertia of what is suddenly gives way to the momentary weightlessness of what might be, and every heart in attendance skips a beat in the instant before a years-long dream becomes a newborn reality.

[@yeahyeahd]

God I love announcers. Their enthusiasm is infectious, especially so in these moments. These moments are why sport is so special.

[@joshyoung1912]

A Thoughts from Places!! John this was truly beautiful. As a fan of the lowly Detroit Pistons i fully understand the wonder and simple joy of a win when you regularly experience loss. Thanks for sharing and DFTBA

[@szymonsobiepanek384]

It's not love, but the fact that people, who are not interested in football, are moved and, eventually, brought together to share your joy, is wonderful. Thank you for creating this community

[@HouseMDaddict]

My thoughts exactly. I couldn't care less about soccer/English football, but I care about it when John cares about it and makes a beautiful video about it like this one. The togetherness is so palpable

[@WHATSINSIDEFAMILY]

Love this. Special moment. thank you for sharing.

[@smartereveryday]

Brilliant.

[@W4DSolutions]

"Only 4 teams were profitable...we were one of them...we have to be because we have no RICH owners to fund the team" Suddenly Rob and Ryan are feeling attacked. LOL I'm not a big football fan, but the Wrexham documentary really made me love the people of these teams. So I'm feeling this win for all of you! Congrats and thanks for sharing that joy with us.

[@justjustinin207]

To be fair to the Wrexham boys, they are far from the only wealthy owners of a football team. 😊 (The owner of Milton Keynes has a net worth of ~$200M.)

[@elenaj6283]

And I just saw that DudePerfect are new owners of Bromley, but they're already Premier so I hardly count that

[@Lowekinder]

@@justjustinin207Yeah they are rich for the tier they are at, but downright paupers compared to many premier and championship owners.

[@kinght676]

​@@elenaj6283part owners

[@soup0dragon]

This isn't really even about Wrexham. Manchester City is owned by the Royal family of the United Arab Emirates. Liverpool belongs to the same company that owns the Red Sox. Community ownership is rare in professional English football

[@davetoms1]

As someone who never "got" sports, I have John to thank for helping me learn to appreciate how powerful the love of sport can be to build community. I love Star Trek. I love professional wrestling. I love music. I love singing in a choir. I love science news. These things give me a sense of community and yes, even some sliver of hope for humanity. Or at least hope for our soul, and coming from an atheist that means something special. Thank you, John. For everything.

[@Bea_Esser]

It’s so much fun watching other people experience pure joy! 💕

[@CorvidCastle]

I was at a LARP convention this weekend and a lot of what you said towards the end of the video really resonated with me. The games themselves were wonderful, but what really made it was the group of old friends, new friends, and total strangers who were all there together to do this thing that really made it. I'm not quite sure how best to articulate it rn, but the community aspect is so so important and i am shaking your hand right now

[@NikeAgXY]

I've been a Nerdfighter for a long time now (half my life actually, as of this year) and it's been incredible to watch this love story unfurl- From FIFA let's plays to....this. I'm still not a fan of football, I don't love sports and loud noises and crowds. But I *am* a fan of football fans, and I love their love for the sport, and the ecstatic joy and connection it fosters.

[@tomrogue13]

It brought me back to the Lions season this year. First playoff appearance since 2014. First time winning the division in 30 years. Winning a playoff game for the first time in 32 years. Getting all the way to the conference championship. The radio announcer Dan Miller, his voice would crack at every one of those moments. It was beautiful

[@junespaintbrush]

I love how John comes at a mundane subject from an unusual angle and unearths some basic truth that bring tears to my eyes.

[@RagnarokEnniroc]

The mascot pointing at DFTBA! A small moment but I loved it (1:15)

[@untappedinkwell]

same!!!

[@pattheplanter]

That is a Womble, a creature mainly occupied with collecting rubbish to reuse and recycle. From a children's book series started in 1968 that was turned into one of the most beloved of children's TV shows. Examples can be found here.

[@jpendowski7503]

Not a sportball person, I watch when my local teams are winning, catch occasional championship games etc. Seeing your joy and fan celebration over the win is just happy. Thanks for sharing.

[@etienneporras7252]

"HOLY SH*T!" I scream so loudly my wife comes running into the room panic stricken. It really was among the most intense games I have ever watched!

[@donaldwert7137]

"Every once and again, we are reminded that hope is truly the thing with feathers and we fall in love with the broken world all over again." John Green. I needed to hear that today. Thank you, John,

[@notme123123]

It’s nice to see John Green that happy. Thank you for sharing.

[@happyfamily1298]

I’m over here crying because it’s joy for this lovely team and community, knowing very little about them, but appreciating their skill, work, and love.

[@spooony2714]

My Grandfather was a Dons fan and he was devestated when the move to MK happened. If there is an afterlife, I'm sure that he took great pleasure in that moment.

[@adamhillman8143]

My wife loved Wimbledon because I loved them. I am sure she was watching with your Grandfather.

[@kaceeeddinger6946]

It's funny that you mention crochet as something that can bring people people together. I'm watching this video a few days after it came out, and today I'm helping my fiber arts guild put on a skills fair at the library (where I work :D), and I'm doing some preparation by winding yarn balls so I can teach people a little crochet. Thanks for your beautiful words, John. See you on Tuesday.

[@sagenmiau7585]

watching a bunch of people in a pub singing because of how happy they are after winning a football game is so amazing. the amount of community there is inspiring. thank you for sharing those moments with us john! ❤

[@daltonchaney1504]

Maybe I need to take my medicine, still early in the day, but this made me tear up. Loving something is special and I’m glad you shared it with us.

[@JackMill01]

That kid got swamped 😂

[@spidermanandsnape]

Love something that bring you together with others whose love is pointing in the same direction? That's other things in my life too, but that's also very much nerdfigheria! Any community that I can get together with an watch a silly live stream for serious charity, dinos to the moon, giraffe love, and all the other silly things over the year, this is a place of love all pointing to decrease worldsuck, be kind to ourselves and others and just generally be a good and welcoming place. So thanks John and Hank and al you other lovely people for helping create a place that brings us together and where love can be pointing in the same direction

[@AgentMaayan]

Last year I got to see AFCW play at Plough Lane with a few nerdfighters, and while I've never really been a huge football enthusiast, there was something so infectiously exciting about it, like we were all leaving all our worries and differences outside and focusing our communal efforts in the same direction for an afternoon. Glad you were able to see this win in person.

[@JulianGreenbank]

I have yet to meet a Milton keynes fan, I don't think they exist. I have yet to meet someone who isn't rooting for AFC Wimbledon, regardless of the team they regularly support, guess we love a phoenix story. Sincerely, a Villa Fan

[@JasonCliftJones]

Shed a happy tear on this one, not often that happens football-wise for a club other than my own. "Not in the wider interests of football" was a load of rubbish (to put it mildly), and we all knew it at the time. If anything, that described the Franchise. Sincerely, an Ipswich fan.

[@steviedubs]

Not me getting emotional about a fourth-tier English football club before going to work in the US. Cheers John and Go AFC Wimbledon!

[@tripledprojects]

One of the things I find uniquely interesting about British football is how invested the fans are in their team. There is no “they won” or “they should do X and Y” - it is rather about “we” and “us”. It’s just an emotional/spiritual sense of belonging really. But here we can see not only a tangible connection to the team from the community, but the team IS the community. Thanks for showing it up close and personal, John.

[@6023barath]

After having had a terrible day that was as irritating as it was depressing, it's nice to just see people happy. Thank you John.

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

Thanks for the reminder that the unfettered joy of collective direction is what it's all about. I'm off to get some tickets to some events I was debating whether to attend.

[@geeksdo1tbetter]

Have all the fun!!!

[@TheGinger336]

I needed this today

[@paperwitch83]

Felt the same when “my” tiny second division basketball team played their GUTS out the whole season and was rewarded with playoffs and going up to division one. Didn’t miss one home game. It was madness. Never was invested in some sports team more than back then. It’s an amazing feeling to feel the ecstatic community this shared experience brings. Go Wimbledon! 🥳

[@butterfly17095]

Woke up to this and what a way to start the day! So happy for AFC Wimbledon, and thanks John for sharing a bit of hope!

[@alinorafoster]

I haven't been watching Vlogbrothers as consistently as I used to. Life and depression and the unimaginable cruelties of the world and the thousands of things, virtual and real, demanding my attention have taken much of the enjoyment I once had for this channel away. But when I see John's grinning face over the title "THE BEST DAY" I knew I had to watch immediately. I need that kind of joy in my life. Thank you, John.

[@geeksdo1tbetter]

May you live with greater ease soon. We'll be here, each time you need community.

[@eliannem7811]

I wasn't expecting to tear up over a football video today, but here we are. Really happy for you John, and thanks for sharing this unbridled joy!

[@ChristyStoerm]

I watched it 2x and cried. That ball boy...oh my gosh! "To be in community, for me, is to be more fully alive." Thanks John!

[@DragCadRacing]

I've been waiting for this video for two days! Ever since I saw the result on Saturday morning.

[@kimmismith9174]

Watching a community sharing it's love is a joyful and inspirational feeling. ❤️ Books, sewing, parenthood.. I could talk for hours and still find something to say. Thank you John for sharing your love with us.

[@dragonflies6793]

I could use some light-soaked joy right now. Thank you, deeply, for sharing this with us.

[@MattTaylor24]

I was lucky enough to head to Plough Lane on a trip to Europe in September last year and watch the Dons draw with Forest Green, and I was struck with the incredible support the fans had for this club, and make immediate friends with them (to the point of them just pulling me into their section and teaching me their chants even though I was fresh to attending a live game, with nothing but a scarf and a desire to lose my voice cheering for this wonderful team). It was such a special moment despite the result, and when I woke up to this win over the franchise in Australia I lost my absolute shit. Everyone in the team, the fans who have stuck with them, deserve it unreservedly.

[@idaslapter5987]

Their mascot is a womble!!! How sweet!

[@pattheplanter]

Could it have been anything else? 😄 Where is the womble emoji? There should be a womble emoji.

[@IMakeupStuff]

Thank you for letting us know the kid was ok. I literally gasped and said out loud, "Oh my gods, that poor kid!"

[@cierrablue]

That was a really beautiful video. For so many reasons. When they scored and he ran to his son and the whole team dogpiled, I was in tears. The message in the video, in tears. Reading the comments, in tears. So beautiful, John. Thank you.

[@bridgets1116]

I love getting such beautiful updates on my home town's football team from vlogbrothers, thank you!

[@kristinisreading4866]

I was listening to The Anthropocene Reviewed today, then watched this. Enjoying John Green content brings me virtually together with other who love John Green content.

[@amazingcatwhiskers]

John changed my opinion on team sports the first time I heard him discuss Wimbledon, probably in a vlogbrothers video, probably 12+ years ago. "I don't need you to love football. I only need you to love something that brings you together with others whose love is pointing in the same direction." That idea has really stayed with me. Thank you for this uplifting and touching video on a gloomy Tuesday. That very exciting last-second play reminded me of an unforgettable sporting memory of my own, which is when my own underdog (at the time, and also again now, kind of) team beat Alabama for the college (American) football national championship at the absolute last second of the game in 2017. No one expected us to pull it off. It's one of my absolute favorite memories I share with my dad.

[@victorermita4972]

Great, John, just great. You made me cry on my birthday. AGAIN

[@ThatRedHead717]

John, this is one of my favorite videos you've ever made! It makes me feel hope for humanity and for my own personal future, both things that have been in short supply as of late. It makes me see the beauty that you see in this team, in that game, and in that single transcendent moment when everything goes right. It's not everyday that Wimbledon wins a game, and it's not every day that I see that there is beauty in the world. But today, you gave me both of those things. Thank you

[@saadatkamal8110]

Can't believe both Wimbledon and Liverpool came up with last minute goals on the same day. The best day to be a Liverpool and Dons supporter. #COYD #YNWA

[@knaughta.masso-kist5944]

I was surprised John didn't mention Nunez' last minute winner, what a time to support both these clubs lol

[@oskare5289]

Started watching and with in three seconds knew I was gonna cry while watching this! Amazing achievement by the dons!

[@tracybartels7535]

I love watching people who are able to be part of a community in person, that is so cool! And as an American who lived a few months in Milton Keynes, it's kind of fun being the enemy, or at least the scene of the enmity.

[@blackhole77]

I find it hard to cry without good wholesome encouragement so this blessed my day. Cheers AFC Wimbledon!!!!

[@GuanoLad]

I didn't expect to see a Womble today in an American KZbinr video, but life is full of surprises.

[@pattheplanter]

Likewise. Though the way the song went, I thought wombles were common.

[@tarasalvi6873]

John's smile walking to the stadium in the rain was saying everything to me and the game hadn't even started yet!

[@cmm6p]

John, you're far too calm in this!?!? Haha. For the little gang of nerdfighters, it was truly spectacular to be there, to be together, and to renew our hope. Gah. What a day!

[@blender_tom]

Thank you for this video. I had so much stress today, and watching this had me in tears, and releaved me of the stress. Now back to my regularly scheduled work day.

[@melaniamacd]

I love your love for football. My love is singing, and this past weekend I sang the most difficult choral music of my life (and I have a degree in music) with my city’s symphony. I can’t stop crying about how incredible it felt for the months of work that the 150 of us in the chorus put in to come to fruition with the orchestra and soloists. It was truly magical. Thank you for always sharing your love of football and AFC Wimbledon with us!