Political polarization in the United States has reached a point where even Thanksgiving dinner conversations can feel like ideological battlegrounds. Social media algorithms amplify division, traditional media fuels outrage, and neighbors find themselves at odds over everything from healthcare to street names. And in a moment where extremism threatens to erode our sense of community, sports might be one of the best tools we have to restore it. Social media feeds tailor content to reinforce our biases. If America is going to pull back from political extremism (yes, we are there) it won’t happen through more shouting on cable news or Twitter/X.