Superstition in Sports

I, like many good fans, have many game day superstitions. In 2016, when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup, I didn’t wash my brand new Fleury (RIP) jersey once. I once stood for an entire Steeler game because when I stood up to get a drink during the first quarter the Steelers had scored. All that being said, I think superstition is weird. I am a perfectly logical, intelligent human being in my everyday life. Ask me on a day when the Steelers aren’t playing and I will tell you that absolutely nothing I do could effect the Steelers ability to play. But come Sunday, all logic and reason will go out the window.

I know a lot of research has been done on sports related superstition, and I know that it may seem like a way for the fans to feel like they were a part of the game. What I find weird is when players start to get involved. Everyone knows about Sidney Crosby’s superstitions. How he wears the same hat for an entire season, how he doesn’t talk to his mom or sister on a game day, how no one can touch his stick once he’s taped it, the list goes on and on. Crosby was actually named the league’s most superstitious in a player poll earlier this year. Obviously, it works for Sid, but I find it weird that Crosby (arguably the best player to ever play the game) feels the need for some superstition.

I fall back on superstition because I have no raw talent. I can’t go out there and help my teams win. I would love to poll hundreds of sports fans and find the weirdest superstitions. I know there are some truly mind-boggling ones out there.