When you spot a person wearing a jersey of a sports team that you love, you can't help but connect with them. Just this past weekend, I saw an elderly man wearing an Eagles sweatshirt and I had to say to him, "Go Birds." He responded with a smile and the same sentiment.

No matter the age, race, religious background or political affiliation, sports unite us. Any group of strangers who share a love for a team and its players can strike up a conversation at any time or place.

It is not uncommon to see people talking game strategy while waiting in line for lunch meat at the deli counter or after church on Sunday.

Last year, when the Eagles were in the big game, we were shopping for snacks at a local grocery store and people began singing the Eagles fight song and chanting "E-A-G-L-E-S - Eagles!" Although we were separated by aisles, everyone from meat and dairy to produce and the self-checkout line took part. It was a great moment.

We love our players, even when the going gets rough. For Phillies fans, the end of the year brought a heartbreaking loss. No one will ever forget the season-ending play when the relief pitcher committed a catastrophic error in the 11th inning, resulting in a walk-off win for the Dodgers.

But as much as we complained about the player, the incident forced us to look at the human side of baseball. Right after the game, players fled to his side to offer him a word of consolation. Even the coach told him to keep his head high, stating, "We win as a team, and we lose as a team." Many Little League coaches used the incident as a teaching moment.

Sports also teaches us life lessons about discipline, teamwork and how to handle both success and failure. And these qualities are not limited to players on the field.

Sports also bring people together. Even the most unlikely fans at a ballpark or stadium become friendly, united in a common goal. We feel the losses, and we rejoice in the victories.

So next time you see a person wearing a hat or jersey of a sports team that you follow, whether it be a professional team, a college favorite, a local high school team or even a Little League Baseball team, say hello and share a smile and celebrate the unity that sports offer. And as always, "Go Birds."