There are things in life you should do, but there are things line life you have no business doing.
You don’t say dead mouse five, you don’t curse in an interview, you don’t go 80 in a school zone unless you are European.
Just like there are things you can’t do in certain places, there are things you just don’t do in and around sports. You’d be surprised by how many people violate these rules with an ignorant bliss that would make your head explode.
#1 Don’t mention a shutout/no hitter in progress
In some countries, this is actually considered a war crime…. well, it’s not but it really should be.
When a shutout in hockey or a no hitter in baseball is in progress, you shalt not say anything along the lines of,” Hey guys! (Insert pitcher/goalies name) has a (no-hitter or shutout) going in the (insert inning or period)!”
Both players and avid sports fans alike take this rule very seriously. Sure the pitcher or goalies performance doesn’t depend on you talking about their nono… or does it?
From first hand experience, I can tell you that the hockey and baseball gods strike mercilessly upon those who break this rule. I have seen many a no-hitters and shutouts broken merely seconds after some poor soul commits this sports sin. Not only will you look stupid, but if you are in a bar, you might as well write your will.
Ways around: If it really bothers you that you can’t tell someone that someone has a no hitter or shutout going on, you can say this. “Look at the game’s stats”.
#2 Never Say You Like A Team Without Knowing Atleast One Legend
Can you be an American without knowing any of the presidents?
Ok that’s kind of a weird question, but its kind of an unwritten rule that you must know at least one legendary player on your favorite team.
Like if you are a Cubs fan, you should probably have an idea of who Ernie Banks is. If you are a Packers fan, you should know Bart Starr.
It’s not an unfair rule at all. If you are a so called fan of a team, you should at least know more than just your wins and losses.
#3 Never Say “Its Over” In A Clutch Situation
When the Thunder are up on the Celtics by 3 with 30 seconds left, do not pronounce the game as over. If you do this, you are in a gamble with your life.
If the Thunder do in fact win, you are right and you can go home.
If the Thunder lose, people with throw the jinx tag on you and behead you in the town square.
Clutch moments and close games are so emotional and unpredictable, you could say what everyone in the room is thinking; yet there’s something about saying something so bold out loud that is just… bad.
So when these NHL playoffs come around and your favorite team is up by one with a minute left, just put your hand over your mouth. Don’t say anything that will draw attention to yourself in a negative way by pronouncing the end of a game before its actually over. Since nobody can go through the TV to beat up the other team in anger, they will probably take out their anger on you.
#4 Never Be Proud Of the Beginning Of The Season
Wow… the Yankees and Red Sox are 0-3. Wow… the Patriots are 0-4.
When you make a big deal about the beginning of the season, you are basically putting a dunce cap on your head.
While football can be a slightly understandable sport to have reason to panic or cheer, the other sports have a lot more games. What does 5 games mean in the grand scheme of things?
When there are 155 games to turn things around, people shouldn’t panic at how the seasons starts out in baseball, hockey and basketball.
Things like that are just so that ESPN has something to freak out about. In fact think about this. If starts were the end all be all, then the Josh McDaniels Broncos would have made the Super Bowl in 2010.
#5 Don’t Use Old Accomplishments For New Arguments
Bears and Cubs fans… I’m looking at you.
Conclusion
The usual. Comment or tweet @JakePayneSports
Jake Payne Sports 