Was it practice, dedication, and air time that made Micheal Jordan the greatest basketball player to ever dribble down the court or was it an old North Carolina uniform? Perhaps we’ll never know because Jordan wore the shorts from his college team beneath his Bulls uniform every game. He even wore them when he played the Olympics. MJ is certainly not alone when it comes to superstitious practices among athletes. In every game and every town there are stars clinging to their routines and rituals believing that it will help them win.

Basketball

Some of the common superstitions among basketball players are wearing the same pair of socks without washing them until the team loses, bouncing the ball before taking a foul shot, and wiping the soles of the feet to bring luck to a player. What about those specific players though, does anyone adhere to tradition like Jordan? Kirk Snyder of the Hornets told TV announcer Bob Licht that he showers before every game because he wants to be sure he feels clean before people see him. In the same interview PJ Brown said he must do everything like clockwork (eat, sleep, shower, etc.) on game day or else he feels out of sorts. The crown for king of the superstitious NBA has to go to Jason Terry. Not only does he wear five pairs of socks while he plays and have a chicken dinner before every game, but he wears the shorts of the opposition to bed the night before the game.

Baseball

The ‘good luck’ beliefs of baseball include; spitting in your hands before picking up a bat, touching a base before leaving the field, and sticking a wad of gum under your brim. In the bad omen category are dogs crossing the diamond before a game and loaning another player your bat. With so many superstitious beliefs it’s not surprising that many players have a few of their own. One of hall of famer Wade Boggs’ superstitions earned him the nickname “chicken man” because, like Jason Terry, he ate chicken before every game. Boggs didn’t stop there though; he started his batting practice at 5:15, ran his spirits at 7:15, and wrote the word Chai (meaning life) in the dirt every time he came to bat. Not to be outdone, Turk Wendell, who once played for the Mets, chewed black licorice when he pitched and then brushed his teeth after each inning. Around Wendell’s neck, for good luck, he always wore a necklace of teeth and bones from animals he’d hunted and killed.

A mention of Baseball superstition is not complete of course without talking of the Cubs curse of the Goat. Way back in 1945 tavern owner Billy Sianis showed up to game four of the World Series with his pet goat and was turned away because he was told the goat stunk. The Cubs lost the game and will forever stink like Billy’s goat until they find a way to make amends. As ridiculous as this tale may sound there are many fans and players alike who believe a curse will forever haunt the Cubs keeping then from another chance at the World Series.

Tennis

Among the superstitious practices of tennis players are avoiding court lines, yellow clothing, and holding more than two balls on a serve. Player will often take to the outside of the court when switching sides for good luck, as well. Many sports stars find that routines are very important when it comes to practicing, playing, and perfecting the game. Some, however, take routines to the point of obsession. After losing her match in 2007 tennis star Serena Williams told reporters at the British Sunday Express that it was because, “I didn’t tie my laces right, and I didn’t bounce the ball five times and I didn’t bring my shower sandals to the court with me, I didn’t have my extra dress. I just knew fate. It wasn’t going to happen.” In other words, if she followed here ritualistic behavior she wouldn’t have played poorly. Since then she can be seen checking her laces before every game.

Another highly routine player wore a very distinctive look to every Wimbledon tournament. Bjorn Borg would grow out a beard before each Wimbledon and show up donning the same Fila shirt. This practice earned him five straight wins so perhaps there’s something to be said for it.

Football

Even the rough sport of football isn’t without a few superstitions. Mascots and double digits are good luck, but getting a new number to go with your new team when you’re traded is bad luck. When it comes to individual players there are a few pre-game rituals like we’ve seen in other sports. Lawrence Tynes of the Giants, for example, washes his car before each game. On of the most bizarre routines however comes from John Henderson of the Jacksonville Jaguars who has assistant trainer Joe Sheehan slap him across the face as hard as he can before he takes the field.

With so many of these stars being among the best in their games it just makes you wonder if perhaps there is something to superstitions and rituals that the rest of us are missing. It may or may not make you a better ball player to stick a wad of gum under your hat or brush your teeth in the dugout, but what do you really have to lose by trying? I’m certain training, natural talent, and dedication made Micheal Jordan the amazing athlete he was, but who are we to say that an old pair of gym shorts didn’t help him along?