It is common knowledge that sport stars from across the globe have their own little rituals before, during and after play they feel makes all the difference for victory. And who are we to question them? After all the training, analysing of your opponent and support from the stands, sometimes you need a little bit of luck.
But there are some activities our sporting friends practice which might raise a few eyebrows. I’ve ran down a few of those superstitious tales.
The Playoff Beards of the NHL
There comes a time during NHL season where players and fans harmoniously join together… growing beards for the sake of all good luck. This remains one of the more unique, yet still odd, superstitions dating back to the 1980s where during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Islanders would sport facial hair for the famous competition. The rule is: one does not shave until their team is either eliminated or wins the cup. The legacy of this tradition has expanded into lower Ice Hockey leagues, high-school and college games, even into Baseball, American Football and basketball – where a-star celebs can be seen courtside bearded up.
Fabien Barthez and the Kiss From a Blanc
During the 1998 World Cup, Laurent Blanc ran with the tradition of kissing the bald head of short-sleeve-wearing goalie Fabien Barthez before every game. It must’ve worked, because France went on to win the World Cup that year. Love is all you need.
Michael Jordan and Those Shorts
Who would’ve thought it…even basketball’s greatest has his lucky charm. In a career which includes leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championship rings, Michael Jordan wore the shorts of his University of Carolina basketball team underneath his kit all the while - these were the same shorts he wore when they won the 1982 National College (NCAA) Championships. This superstition went on to inspire a fashion trend in the sport once Jordan began wearing longer shorts to cover those underneath. He is credited to longer shorts being designed and worn in the game today. So long thigh-high pair!
Barry Fry and the Four Corners of St. Andrews
Barry Fry is known for his questionable managerial style and unpredictable behaviour, making him a popular figure inside and outside the game of football. But it was during his time managing Birmingham City that Fry made a name for himself many won’t forget
Legends have spoken of a longstanding curse at Birmingham City’s St. Andrews ground, and in an attempt to remove the spell, the former manager decided to err let’s say “mark his territory” on all four corners of the pitch. Whether this was cure to lift the curse who knows! "Did it work? Well, we started to win and I thought it had, then they sacked me, so probably not" said Fry.
Bobby Moore: The Last Short-Wearing Hero
Many players practice the belief of being the last player out, but the legendary Bobby Moore vowed on being the last player to put on his shorts! The World Cup winning English captain of the 60s and 70s often stood around holding his shorts until his teammates all had finished dressing.
Johan Cruyff’s Slap & Gum
It’s hard to question anything this man does. Debatably football and Holland’s greatest player was indeed a genius on the pitch, famously inventing a self-named turn during the 1974 World Cup that may look ordinary today, had football fans bamboozled upon first glance.
Was it all down to slapping goalkeeping teammate Gert Bals during their time at Ajax for his fancy footwork? After giving Bals five fingers to the face, Cruyff followed this ritual by spitting his chewing gum into the opposing sides half before kick-off whistle. We can all question the reason of this particular superstition, but riddle me this, in the 1969 European Cup Final when Cruyff forgot his gum, consequently breaking the superstition, is this reason why his team lost to AC Milan 4-1 on the night?
Any other great sport superstition stories you can think of? Let us know in the comments, and we might share some more of our own!
