Sure, the beards may have been itchy, annoying and, in some cases, ridiculous looking. But underneath the rough exterior, they represent camaraderie, unity and hope.
Does one man’s refusal to shave actually play a difference in the outcome of a Stanley Cup playoff game? Probably not.
But if you ask a clean-shaven loser, you may hear, “I should’ve kept it.”
The beard may appear to hold no significance in regards to how the action unfolds on the ice, but most male NHL fans have to consider letting the hair ride to refrain from having to play Monday morning quarterback in the wake of a loss — a clean-shaven loss.
This season, like every season, many NHL players and fans never had the opportunity to bust out the playoff beards, or any other playoff superstitions, for that matter.
Fortunately, the World Cup creates another opportunity for superstitious players and fans to plot, scheme and act in a manner they deem most appropriate for success.
Whether that means wearing the same shirt, eating the same meal, watching the game in the same spot or wearing your opponent’s shorts prior to a game, it is all understandable — as weird as some rituals may be.
According to FIFA.com, England’s John Terry admitted to sitting in the same seat on the team bus, listening to the same CD on the way to the stadium, parking in the same spot and wrapping tape around his socks three times.
All of that is pretty tame when compared to former Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea’s antics. Goycochea, who was chosen as the goalkeeper of the 1990 World Cup All-Star team, would urinate on the field prior to shootouts.
Though such disregard for hygiene and the law by the former World Cup hero is unparalleled, Boston has seen its fair share of superstitious athletes over the years.
Who could forget former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra’s toe-tapping, wrist-slapping, stair-skipping, line-hopping routine prior to and during games?
Further back, there was third baseman Wade Boggs and his pregame chicken dinner, which he ate in addition to waking up, taking batting practice and doing wind sprints at the same time every day.
Even now, Boston has superstitious athletes — or at least those who refuse to stray from a normal routine. Just ask Ray Allen and his carefully shaven head.
So while there will never be proof to validate the effectiveness of an individual superstition, there remains no harm in the continuation of such procedures.
With the World Cup finally upon us after four years of anticipation, get your superstitions ready and execute them. This time, not only does a team rely on complete obedience, but an entire country does.
Sure, your actions may or may not effectively guide your team to victory, but do you really want to see what happens if you don’t wear that shirt, eat that meal or sit in that spot?
