Portrait of a hyena after a mud bath, Masai Mara National Park, Kenya, Africa. (Photo by: Leonardo Mangia/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Do you think you’d remain as calm as the guy in this story? A man in South Africa was playing 18 holes when a hyena started following him through the fairway. He captured the encounter on video and even joked “Got a new caddie on the golf course”. The hyena eventually left him alone and he was able to finish his round without this wild animal in his backswing. Turns out these sort of encounters aren’t rare in South Africa as some other players spotted lions hanging out near a green, eating a sprinkler. Golf is hard enough, no need to add hyenas to the mix.
Football fans are gearing up for the upcoming NFL season. Some fans are so passionate that their enthusiasm borders on religious fervor. And yes, they pray for their team. Beyond their prayers, they also have some superstitions. You know the types: they go barechested in zero degree weather and paint themselves in their favorite team’s colors. Their mood for the week depends on if their team won or lost. There are fans and then there devout believers. Those are the ones who get a bit too superstitious.
Football fans superstitions
You know that person who stays in the same spot throughout an entire game, and when their team gives up possession they change positions? That’s who we’re talking about. So, when things are going well, they’re practically immobile. They won’t step away for food or even use the bathroom. Why? Because they can’t risk “messing up the flow.” On the other hand, if things are not going as planned, they might wander around the living room persistently in search of a lucky seat where good things could potentially happen. Of course, for some fans, their ritualistic and superstitious behaviors might just be traditions, regardless of whether their team comes out on top or experiences a loss.
From wearing a specific jersey to eating a particular snack, these rituals are believed to bring luck and influence the game. For instance, some fans might have a lucky pre-game routine, like wearing mismatched socks or doing a little victory dance before kickoff. Even food choices play a role, with some fans only eating certain foods while watching the game, like nachos or chicken wings, believing that deviating from this menu might lead to bad luck. It’s these quirky and often amusing superstitions that add an extra layer of excitement to the football fan experience.
Take a look at a few of these superstition-filled traditions that football fans have been sharing on Reddit.