Sports fans are not the only ones with superstitious game day rituals. In fact, several—if not every––athlete has something very specific that they do before heading out of the locker room the day of the game.
Let’s see what superstitious moves these pro athletes do with a belief that winning comes from more than just making the perfect shot, tackle or catch.
Philadelphia Eagles Kicker Jake Elliott
Eagles’ kicker Jake Elliott has been eating the same meal the night before the game since the day he cleared a 56-yard attempt, the ball bounced off of the crossbar and through the posts in a win over South Florida during his freshman year at Memphis.
It was a slice of pizza followed by a slice of cheesecake that he ate before the kick that he’ll never forget and he’s been doing this ever since.
As an avid cheese lover myself, that’s a ritual I could get behind.
Jake’s Mantra: “Eat the pizza, kick the football.”
Minnesota Vikings Safety Harrison Smith
Vikings’ veteran safety Harrison Smith keeps things spicy before noon-time kickoffs.
He’ll do what normal people might do and start off with a cup of coffee, followed by just half of a plain bagel and then… a shot of … no not tequila, not vodka, not whiskey … but Tabasco.
“It wakes me up,” Smith claims. “I can’t have too much coffee or I’ll cramp up easily, but the hot sauce is mandatory.”
San Francisco 49ers’ TE George Kittle
Niners’ star George Kittle has a game day ritual with his father. He has been reading letters from his dad before every single game since he was a Sophomore at Iowa.
The letters are meant to be both inspiring and humorous. But once he reads it, he’s locked in. This is definitely the most wholesome way to get motivated before a game
USWNT’s Striker Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan does a bit (a lot) more than just fuel her body with the same exact meal before game time.
Every game day, Morgan goes for an early morning walk, does Yoga, eats breakfast and then does some pre-game stretching and a warm up routine in order to prevent injuries.
No wonder she’s aging like fine wine. The fellas need to take notes.
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Lakers’ Forward LeBron James
King James’s game day ritual is all about his tunes. He gets to the arena five hours before the game even starts where he lifts some weights and listens to nothing but hip-hop.
After that, it’s time to cool down with some old-school jazz and “Beethoven s**t.” But once it’s 45 minutes until tip-off, he’s back to jamming out and off to doing his signature chalk-throwing ritual.
Warriors’ Point Guard Stephen Curry
Steph Curry keeps his routine pretty simple in the most maniac way.
Before every game, you’ll see Curry taking ridiculous shots from all over the court or goofing off with his teammates.
But in those final moments before it’s time to head back to the locker room to make an appropriate entrance, he’s seen running sprints right into the camera.
This isn’t for any extra attention or time on camera, no. Instead, he’s just trying to keep his heart rate up and his adrenaline pumping.
So whether it’s never washing a jersey, drinking out of the same glass, sitting in the same seat or eating the same meal before your team’s game starts, you are not alone in thinking that these rituals have an effect on how the game plays out.
