25 Weirdest Superstitions and Rituals in Sports

 25 of the Most Strangest Rituals and Superstitions in Sports

Few spheres of our lives are more inspiring than sports to hold on to bizarre superstitions or rituals. Sports like basketball, football, and hockey all have this effect. The line between fortune and plays seems to dictate the outcome of games. It is a very difficult line.

These superstitions do not have to involve wearing the same raggy T-shirt as you wore ten years ago when your team won the playoffs. Some celebrations are unique and rooted deeply in a team's history. Rituals and superstitions can be as deeply rooted in an athlete's identity and team's history as past losses and wins.

It's not only the fans who are compelled to do silly things by ancient lizard brains. Athletes sometimes have bizarre superstitions, too. These are the strangest rituals and superstitions found in sports. Mike Bibby clipping Fingernails During Timesouts

1 OF 25

Mike Bibby's habit of biting the nails became a trademark of his NBA career. He could often be found on the bench, gnawing his nails furiously and making everyone around him nervous.

He found a way of reducing picking time and allowing himself to be more focused by using nail clippers. It was so bad that whenever Bibby parked his bum on the bench someone would hand him a pair of nail scissors so he could immediately address his cuticle issue.

24. I Want You To Hit Me As Hard as You Can

2 OF 25

It's frightening to see a man of large stature who gains strength just by being beaten. John Henderson, a Jaguars defensive tackle for the forever, is just that. Henderson is 6'7 tall and 350 pounds.

And this monster had a unique way of getting psyched for a game. Henderson would have a Jags assistant coach slap him across his face as hard and as humanly possible. You can't do anything but slap him across the face if someone so large demands it.

I'm a paranoid person and my first reaction is to hit someone back. How to Win at the Superstitious!