Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense had dreamt of this moment for decades. They were scheduled to play Colombian soccer club Atlético Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana final. Unfortunately, those big dreams came to a tragic halt when they made their trip to Medellín, Colombia. According to The New York Times, in the early morning hours of November 29, the plane that carried 77 people including the Chapecoense players, coaches, trainers, reporters, and others associated with the team crashed in the mountains near Medellín. Only six people survived that horrific incident. Just before the crash, the pilot supposedly told members of the crew that they had run out of fuel.

In response to this heartbreaking incident, Chapecoense was awarded the Copa Sudamericana title. Members of the Atlético Nacional soccer club held a tribute to those who lost their lives on the deadly flight. Fans of both clubs also came together to honor the fallen Chapecoense team.

In a world where sports teams and fans fight tooth and nail to win, this comradery between these two teams, their fans, and their respective cities shows that sports bring us closer together. The topic of sports is a universal language spoken by all and while it may evoke feelings of anger or joy, everyone can agree that sports are our saving grace when life gets in the way.