Okay, so today’s Super Bowl Sunday. Big deal, right? Just another excuse to wear a jersey and eat questionable snacks. But seriously, even my church got in on the action. I swear, the place looked like a Cowboys fan club meeting – and as a Commanders fan, I’m contractually obligated to be bitter. But all those jerseys got me thinking…

It’s curious, isn’t it? It’s not just football teams that inspire this kind of devotion. America has its own set of “teams” – not all of them athletic – that people rally behind. Think Cowboys, Yankees, Lakers, sure, but also Apple, and even Taylor Swift. It’s fascinating how we choose these “teams” and how fiercely we defend them.

And let’s be real, this tribalism isn’t just about the big names. It’s in the small things too. Think about the great Android vs. iPhone debate. Green bubbles vs. blue bubbles. It’s a digital divide that separates friends and families (okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic). But seriously, it’s another example of how we find our tribe and stick with them, even when it comes to something as silly as phone preferences.

Anytime someone steps away from the beloved teams, you’re practically an outcast (just kidding… mostly). But seriously, it does feel like we’re wired to belong, to find our tribe. Whether it’s a sports team, a brand, or even a pop star, we find something to connect with and declare our allegiance. We’re tribal creatures, after all.

This whole jersey-filled Sunday got me wondering, why do we do this? What is it about being part of something bigger than ourselves that’s so appealing? Psychologists have explored this, suggesting it taps into our need for community and identity. Being a fan connects us to something larger, giving us a sense of belonging and shared purpose. It’s like having an extended family of fellow fans. But it goes beyond just feeling good. Our “team” affiliations can influence how we see the world, from what we buy to how we interact with others. Think about it: do you find yourself more drawn to people who share your fandoms? Do you subtly (or not so subtly) judge those who root for the “wrong” team? It’s funny how these seemingly small allegiances can shape our perceptions and even our relationships.

And where do we draw the line between healthy fandom and, well, not-so-healthy tribalism? So, from Cowboys jerseys to green bubbles, it seems we’re always finding new ways to define our tribes. The question is, why? Maybe it’s something to think about as we head into the rest of the week.

Anyway, I got the Chiefs winning, even though I want the Eagles to win.