​Wrote about the best of us, and wrote about … the rest of us.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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.Readers: This is how the column starts…AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDoyel: Indiana’s emotional pursuit of Special Olympics gold, one text at a timeFrom: 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 GreggAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPS never challenge me to a free throw contest again lolDoyel in 2025: ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli shoots March Madness shot for her son, FrankieIf 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