Superstitions

Players and coaches are superstitious. We can't help ourselves.

In 1973, players wore jackets and ties on game day. It represented pride and maybe a hint of status. Coach Ellis Lane forgot his coat on game day and borrowed my brown corduroy coat for the game. We won. He asked me to bring it to the next game. Another win. That coat "won" thirteen straight games, including three upset wins in the "Tech Tourney" including the Sectionals in Boston Garden. Before "it's the shoes," it was the coat. Eventually it found its way to Goodwill. 

• Wade Boggs ate chicken before every game.
• Jim Palmer got the nickname "Cakes" for eating pancakes before his starts. He never gave up a grand slam in his Hall of Fame career.
• LeBron James throws chalk before every game.
• Michael Jordan wore UNC shorts under his Bulls shorts
• Karch Kiraly wore a pink hat during volleyball tournaments 
• Serena Williams is renowned for her extensive superstitions, including using the same shower, bringing her shower sandals to the court, tying her shoelaces in a specific way, bouncing the ball five times before her first serve and twice before her second.
• Olympic champion US golfer Nelly Korda always keeps three tees in her hair, replacing them only when they break.

I had/have a lot of superstitions, chewing "Big Red" gum during games, wearing wrist bands, not wearing pro team gear on game day, playing the same song (Livin' on a Prayer) before our daughters' playoff games. Superstitious people know superstitions are a waste of time, but why tempt fate? 

Superstitions find their way into your routine - what you wear, what you eat, how many times you brush your hair, or how you bounce or twirl the ball before serving. 

Whatever works. 

Lagniappe. Bringing great energy is infectious.