Doyel: Special Olympians, coaches are the best of us. Political nonsense is the worst of us.
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Wrote about the best of us, and wrote about … the rest of us.
Visit tr-sport.click for more information.
The best of us? Indiana’s state championship basketball team from Special Olympics Boone County, who went to Minnesota last month and won bronze at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
The rest of us? Those of us arguing about politics, if our goal is to hurt – not help. Those of us who are part of this wall of sound where everyone’s shouting and nobody’s listening, and using all that noise as cover for cruelty.
Now then, my job is to have opinions and share them, so I’ll keep at it, hoping to make a small difference for good even knowing some people see me as something entirely different. My goal is to help, not hurt – not to insult folks who disagree, but to invite them to see things another way. I fall short, at times. I'm sure of it.
Columns about Special Olympics, the culture wars around Fever star Caitlin Clark, and President Trump’s phone to call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino? All in the same week? Makes for an interesting Mailbagg™.
And this seems clear: The best of us is an Indiana Special Olympian named John Wheeler.
John Wheeler, Special Olympics Indiana make magic
Readers: This is how the column starts...
The text messages come from a basketball locker room in Blaine, Minnesota, site of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The texts hit my phone before and after games, brief morsels of information from the exceptional young man trying to lead Indiana’s state champions from Special Olympics Boone County to a national title.
Monday, June 22, 10:22 a.m.
Our first game is today against Florida please wish me luck gonna need it!! Hope you’re doing okay love you my friend!!
That’s John Wheeler, all of that right there: Humble, loving, transparent.
(Readers: Back to the Mailbagg™.)
The response, in emails and from my IndyStar text message group, was beautiful.
Doyel:Indiana's emotional pursuit of Special Olympics gold, one text at a time
From: Cathy R.
I loved your story about John last year. Thank you for following up with this one. What a fine man he is.
From: Marc F.
There are so many athletes who are completely unknown. Thanks for giving them the spotlight.
From: Jerry H.
When it seems major and college sports are all going to hell, you write this. Excuse me, I have dust in my eyes...
Don’t make me cry Jerry!
John already did. He texted me after reading it. In the spirit of the column, here’s how it looked:
Tuesday, July 14, 9:38 a.m.
I’m crying now it’s a great article thank you Gregg
PS never challenge me to a free throw contest again lol
Doyel in 2025:ESPN's Debbie Antonelli shoots March Madness shot for her son, Frankie
Congress isn’t helping Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s this: Our world and country are so messed up, our elected representatives don’t have time to help WNBA officiating.
Wait – we can’t agree on that?
Doyel: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever don't want this kind of help from U.S. Congress
From: Richard H.
You're so wrong on so many things in this. Caitlin Clark is the ONLY reason anyone pays attention to the WNBA. I guess you're just stupid not to realize this. Players from other teams are straight up jealous of her! Catty, petty, jealous women. Caitlin is the golden goose they should be appreciating!
But they hate her because she gets all the attention. Being Caucasian and straight just adds to it. And if you don't believe, that you're just naive.
Not sure you’re trying to help.
From: Kevin E.
Republican Study Group says the circumstances might "raise serious federal civil rights questions"? There are plenty of civil rights issues they could study. Instead they chose a softball that will resonate with their base. Nothing more than an unserious, divisive, political stunt.
Curious to hear what kind of feedback you receive.
I was hoping to hear at least one person say what a few folks actually DID say about my July 4 column on backyard fireworks and U.S. veterans: That my column had changed their mind.
Maybe I’m just naïve – or stupid.
Last Mailbagg: Vietnam vet shares fireworks story. If this doesn't change behavior, nothing will
Doyel last week:Your July 4 fireworks don't feel like freedom to US veterans with PTSD
From: Allan S.
Another Republican hit piece from the Indianapolis Star.
Hit piece? By referring to WNBA players as “thugs” who are “irrelevant” without Caitlin Clark, those elected officials smacked themselves upside the head. Was hoping you’d recognize it – it’s right there – but that wall of noise is thick.
From: Ray B.
Where were the congressmen when Colts DE’s Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were harassing Patriots QB Tom Brady? Tried to ask them, but their website won't accept out-of-district emails.
Giggle.
From: Stephen B.
Is there a hypocrisy course all of you on the left take? It is an art the Dems have mastered. Are you any different than the politicians you trash in your spin piece? This is your opportunity to bash the Republicans using this issue and Caitlin Clark’s name.
You’re just another brick in the wall, Stephen.
From: Melissa L.
Angry doesn't begin to describe how I felt! They have now put a bigger target on Caitlin Clark. I feel so bad for her. I pray they don't run her out of the league. I will be writing her a letter of support. I already sent my thoughts to Indiana Republicans: FOCUS ON YOUR REAL JOBS AND DO SOMETHING FOR REGULAR AMERICANS WHO CANT AFFORD THEIR LIVES RIGHT NOW!
Thanks for calling it out Gregg! Soooo sick of this!
Just trying to help, Melissa. Not sure it’s working. The noise is loud.
President Trump’s call didn’t help 2026 World Cup
If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s this: Our world and country are so messed up, our president doesn’t have time to help World Cup officiating.
Wait – we can’t agree on that?
Doyel: USMNT brings us together in World Cup, until call from President tears us apart
From: Kathy W.
I would like for you to explain what your job is. I thought it was an opinion column on SPORTS-related facts. We could debate the phone call on another platform, just not this one.
Pretty sure the President making a call on behalf of the U.S. soccer team’s best player is a SPORTS-related fact. Soccer being a SPORT, and all.
From: John B.
I'm sure you'll hear from critics who say you shouldn’t meddle in politics. I wonder if they understand that your last two columns were necessary precisely because politicians keep meddling in sports.
They don’t seem to understand, John.
From: Paul H.
Gregg you've touched a national nerve, and I'm eager to see the response. I'm reminded of the words of the great sportswriter of the 20th century, Grantland Rice, who wrote, "For when the one great scorer comes to mark your name, He writes not whether you win or lost, but how you played the game."
You seem to have intelligence, integrity and empathy, Paul. Please run for some office. I’ll vote for you.
From: Dan S.
Thank you for having the courage to tell it how you see it. My sister and I, prior to the game against Belgium, said the #USMNT team, coach – even Folarin Balogun – should have said he was sitting out anyway. Shouldn't the host always operate at the highest level?
I’d vote for you too, Dan.
From: Kathy W.
This is my interpretation of your column: USMNT coaches and players should have gathered around and said our player deserved to sit out, so we will just not show up to play. We will show the world we don't want Mr. Trump making any phone calls on our behalf. Winning be damned!
That’s your interpretation, Kathy? Let me ask: What’s your first language? You don’t seem to read English very well.
From: Lindsey L.
I think you missed the main story of the lost opportunity with the big choke by the team
Not sure that was the main story, Lindsey.
From: Paul M.
These are the same politicians saying "shut up and dribble" when an athlete speaks up. Maybe they should take their own advice and stay in their lane.
From: Patrick W.
Really Double G? Blame the loss on Trump's meddling? Quit making excuses for a lousy performance.
I didn’t blame the loss on Trump. Where did I write those words? If you want to dunk on what I wrote … try dunking on what I wrote.
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Not printing these
From: Kathy W.
For a long time I didn't like you or your columns, and then about three years ago I started reading it again. Wow was I surprised at how you had changed, and the integrity in what you wrote about. I will continue to read, but I am not sure that I can anxiously look forward to it.
Thank you for not giving up on me, Kathy. Please keep reading. The day might yet come where I’d vote for you.
From: Todd A.
Spot on, Gregg. Spot on. Come Lord, come. This fallen, broken world gets tiring, right? Praying for Caitlin.
Amen. Love you brother.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Doyel: Special Olympians, coaches are the best of us. Political nonsense is the worst of us.