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It’s playoff time in the NBA and NHL, and with the Major League Baseball season well underway (and NFL draft this past weekend), now seems as good a time as any to talk of curses...

Debunking (Or Not) The Myth of Sports Curses

by Brendan Monaghan (Scribe)

10

1,048 reads

Sports

May 05, 2008


It’s playoff time in the NBA and NHL, and with the Major League Baseball season well underway (and NFL draft this past weekend), now seems as good a time as any to talk of curses. The cruel nature of sports means that only one team can win it all, which leaves all the others in the sport waiting until next year. But for some, next year never arrives, and even of an era of free agency and variables such as star power and team payrolls, something has to explain a team’s perennial ability to choke in the spotlight. Like a billy goat, for example. Curses can afflict a single team- leaving others in a city unscathed- or an entire city, state, or even country. How then do we separate supernaturally-controlled strings of bad luck with a convenient coincidence or the simple constant of bad play? Well, I’ll do my best.

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10 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Greg Caggiano about 1 year ago

    Excellant Article dude!

    BTW, Brett Hull's skate blade is evidence of a Buffalo curse...

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  2. Spenser T. Harrison about 1 year ago

    Well written and well informed article. But I have one growing curse no one has mentioned yet.

    NFL DIVA Recievers.
    Yes, this group of self-venerating players seem to destroy franchises left and right in their continued belief that the reciever position is all important. This group of "me first" players such as T.O. , Chad Johnson, and Randy Moss have undeniable talent and playmaking ability, but a knack for destroying their quarterbacks, coaches, and teams from within. San Francisco, Minnesota, Oakland, and Cincinatti can all attest to this latest curse. While Randy Moss surely didn't destroy the Patriots this year, he was non-existent in the playoffs and seemed unaplogetic about the Superbowl loss. More importantly however is that his sucess has alterted the Patriots attack and gameplan. One which won them three superbowls prior, with the likes of David Givens, David Patton, Deion Branch, and Troy Brown at reciever. I hate to bring up the cliche idea that "defense wins championships" but its true. While these amazing talents sell tickets, merchandise, and win you regular season games, it dosen't translate into championships.

    p.s. you can add reggie bush to that list to, since he is nothing more than a receiver anyway.

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  3. Chris Olley about 1 year ago

    Great article, but did you *really* have to mention Santa? Come on, that was in the 60s, only people born before Kennedy was president remember that. We're hardcore fans, but we ain't the same fans who snowballed Santa.

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  4. Brendan Majev about 1 year ago

    Hilarious!

    I really enjoyed it, well researched. Thanks so much!

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  5. Nick Condit about 1 year ago

    Very good article, well written, funny, and informative. Cleveland hasn't won a championship since 1964? Damn, that sucks.

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  6. Sebastian about 1 year ago

    Buffalo's biggest curse is Dallas.

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  7. Eric Lawhead about 1 year ago

    Great work. Growing up in Cleveland, I would say it may be a curse, maybe a curse that they play in some of the best divisions in sports. Or at least had played in them. The Cavs of the early 90's were awesome! And I grew up hating Michael Jordan. I went to both the 95 and 97 World Series and if there wasn't a curse before Jose Mesa, I would say there was one after him! The Browns, the REAL Browns of the '90s or Bernie Kosar Browns were amazing and they were moved to Baltimore with the crook Art Model. I guess it took actually moving cities to actually win a championship. I think right now, in Cleveland, there is so much optimism with all 3, and yes that actually includes the Browns!

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  8. Mike Palmietto about 1 year ago

    Great article what did you think about the sox curse?

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  9. damian daugherty about 1 year ago

    nice im waiting for cleveland to break the habit of making it but not taking it. (should be ohios theme even though I <3 it lol)

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  10. damian daugherty about 1 year ago

    motto not theme :S

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