November 29th, 2016, was supposed to be a day of limitless excitement for Chapecoense. The Brazilian soccer team from a small industrial city was playing in the 4th division of Brazilian soccer less than ten years ago. On Monday, November 28, 2016, they boarded a flight to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, an inter-continental tournament with the winner to be crowned the best team in South America. Seventy-seven coaches, players, and journalists sat with anxious excitement as the plane took off.

As the plane flew over Medellin, Columbia, the plane made an emergency call, citing an unexpected electrical failure. Suddenly, the plane, and the dreams of seventy-seven people crashed into the Andes Mountains. Seventy-one people perished with only six people remaining: three players, two crew members, and one journalist.

Soccer means everything to Brazil, and for the small city of Chapecoense, their teams miracle run from the fourth division to a South American semi-final, was, for many, the highlight of a lifetime. The players were heroes to the citizens, but the saddest part is that they were a part of the same world. The city, as small as it was, allowed the players to build special relationships with the fans.  They were devastated, and their pain was felt throughout the world. The crash became a global tragedy for Brazilian’s and soccer fans all around the world.

“Just as a soccer player. I know how much the game, and the team meant to that city. It is a terrible story,” said Demitri Phili, captain of the Wayne Hills soccer team.

As tragic as the story is, the response to the crash have been remarkable. The two biggest clubs in Brazilian soccer, Sao Paolo and Corinthians, offered to loan players to Chapecoense for three years for free, so that the club could remain in the top division and keep all the progress they had made.

In addition, all games in this week’s UEFA Champions League had a moment of silence to recognize the fallen prior to the start. On Sunday, Chelsea beat Manchester City by a score of 3-1. Brazilian international player Willian scored and dedicated his goal to the team in a beautiful celebration with teammate and fellow Brazilian David Luiz.

In addition, Gabriel Paulista, a defender for Premier League club Arsenal, shared a story of his relationship with one of his old coaches that died on the flight. Gabriel explained that he had the urge to call his coach before they took off, but decided against it. His message to the world following the crash was, “don’t leave anything for tomorrow.”

Whether you’re a Chapecoense supporter/citizen, a Brazilian, a soccer fan, or even just an empathetic human being, the death of these seventy people is terrible to even think about. The only thing we can do is remember to never forget, and to make the lives of the fallen eternal through stories and memories.

On December 5th, the CONEMBOL, or the South American soccer federation, declared Chapecoense champions of South America.