Most Notable Curses In Sports History

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The Chicago Cubs Curse Of The Billy Goat

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The Chicago Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908 and most people wonder if they ever will win another one. The New York Giants at the time committed a famous mistake that gave the Cubs the win in 1908 and Giants fans everywhere think because the Cubs stole the win they have been hit with an extreme lack of success since 1908. From 1910 to 1945 the Cubs made the World Series 7 times but failed to win it every time they went. In the 1945 World Series the Cubs faced the Detroit Tigers, longtime Cubs fan Billy Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, came to the game with his pet goat as he had done all year long. This time though the fans complained and Sianis was asked to leave the game. Sianis was very upset and sent a telegram to the Cubs declaring they would never win a World Series again and since then they have not won a World Series. 

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The SI Cover Jinx

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Usually in sports if you get the cover of "Sports Illustrated" it is a great thing an means massive exposure for you and your team. However we cannot ignore the massive amount of people that have been on the cover and failed in big games or big events. Here are some notable examples you might recall. Ernie Matthews, the very first cover star breaking his hand. The 1957 Sooners called "Unbeatable" only to lose the very next game against Notre Dame. Jack Lambert called "The Man Of Steel" and then forced to miss the whole season due to a foot injury. The Cleveland Indians called "the Best Team in Baseball" prior to the 1987 season and ended up losing 101 games that year. The Giants appearing before losing Super Bowl XXXV and The Tigers just before being swept in the 2012 World Series.

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The Curse Of Billy Penn

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Philadelphia sports used to have some great teams and was used to massive success that is until 1983 when they won there last sports championship. There was a "gentleman's agreement" that no building in Philadelphia would be higher than the City Hall’s statue of William Penn, the founder of the city. However, in 1987, One Liberty Place opened, standing 400 feet higher than City Hall and afterward, the fates of Philly sports took a downturn. It seemed like this curse was not true but in 2007, workers built the Comcast Center which is now the tallest building in Philly. They placed a small statue of Penn on the final beam and the very next year, the Phillies won the World Series ending the curse.

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The Madden Curse

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Nobody in sports knows how this curse came about but the facts do not lie. John Madden has created a very successful NFL football video game but it seems that each year whoever is on the front cover either gets hurt or has a terrible season. Now NFL stars are sending EA games a letter each year begging them not to put them on the front cover of the massively successful video game. Here are some crazy examples that will make a believer out of anyone. The very first cover guy in 1999, Garrison Hearst, broke his leg and missed two seasons; Barry Sanders in 2000, retired in training camp; Daunte Culpepper (2002) threw 23 interceptions and a record number of fumbles; Marshall Faulk (2004) saw his career decline; Donovan McNabb (2006) tore his ACL; Shaun Alexander (2007), injured his foot; Peyton Hills (2012) missed half the season due to injuries; and Richard Sherman the past season when the Seahawks lost the Super Bowl.

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The Black Sox

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The Chicago White Sox always had a great team in the early 1900's and it seemed in 1920 they were on there way to another World Series. However there world completely stopped when 8 players on the team decided to throw the 1919 World Series. Each players was immediately banned from baseball for life and they were now known as the Black Sox. Some may cite that was due to bad management but the stigma of the “Black Sox” would haunt the South Side for decades before they finally won the World Series in 2005. 

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The Cardinals Curse

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In 1925, the Pottsville Maroons situated in Pennsylvania, won the NFL championship in a hard-fought battle with the Chicago Cardinals. the Maroons played an authorized game in their home state but commissioner Joseph Carr suspended the team and took away there championship that year. The people of Pottsville were furious and declared a curse on the Cardinals that would only be lifted when the NFL championship was restored to "the right red team". The curse has seemed to follow the Cardinals to each city they have been in as they still have not won an NFL championship and have the most losses of any team in the NFL.

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The Talladega Jinx

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It seems that to most drivers they will agree that there is something off with the course at Talladega. Here are some alarming facts that back up these drivers claims. Bobby Isaac left his car on the track in 1973 because he claimed he heard voices shortly after a young driver died several laps earlier. In 1974, multiple cars were found with slashed tires and sand in the tanks and a crewman lost his leg in a freak crash. Accidents just happen here and are very routine and drivers say it just doesn't happen at any other track. Some claim that the track was built on a native burial ground and they say there is an ancient curse that the natives have put on the track. Anyone in Nascar knows when you race Talladega anything can happen and you better beware!

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