Leg shaving and beef jerky: North Texas athletes dish on their superstitions

[Skipper]

Late in the second quarter of North Texas’ game against Bethune-Cookman University, freshman quarterback Mason Fine dropped back on third down and surveyed the field.

With no options open, Fine darted up the middle and quickly realized he had a decision to make: slide and avoid the safety, or lower his shoulder.

All 170 pounds of him opted for the latter, as Fine levied the boom and picked up 25 yards.

And he could not have done it without beef jerky.

Excuse me, @Masonfine09! 25-yard run for a first down #GMG #BeatBCU pic.twitter.com/3wFAo5Dvzc

— #NewDenton (@MeanGreenFB) September 11, 2016

“I always keep a bag of beef jerky [with me before games],” Fine said. “I started that when I was a freshman in high school and I’m not going to stop. That’s just one superstition that I have.”

Rituals, routines and lucky items are common in every sport. When the football team runs onto the field, about half of the guys drop to a knee and say a quick prayer before heading to the sidelines.

One of the football players with a unique routine is junior running back Jeffrey Wilson, who got this idea from his father.

“Before every game, I walk to each goal post,” Wilson said. “I pray at the first one, then I stop in the middle of the field and pray again, then I go to the other goal post and say my last prayer there. When I get back to the eagle I look at both end zones and tell them that I’ll be back.”

From a meal to a nap, most players have something that gets them mentally prepared for a game. For Mean Green volleyball, it’s as simple as jamming out to their favorite tunes.

“We usually listen to music and dance in the locker room,” junior middle blocker Amanda Chamberlain said. “Everybody’s dancing and having fun, and we just get our minds off of the game so when we come out it’s time to focus.”

The volleyball team is a cohesive unit, and their relationships off the court help them on it, however, the team is a little peculiar as far as pregame rituals are concerned.

Junior outside hitter Alexis Wright wakes up hours earlier than usual on game days, and usually eats grilled chicken, not fried. Chamberlain prays before coming out of the locker room.

But senior setter Amy Henard may have the oddest routine of them all.

“This is really weird,” Henard said. “But, I shave my legs the night before [a game]. It’s a superstition that I have.”

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[UNTLifer]

“Before every game, I walk to each goal post,” Wilson said. “I pray at the first one, then I stop in the middle of the field and pray again, then I go to the other goal post and say my last prayer there. When I get back to the eagle I look at both end zones and tell them that I’ll be back.”

 

 

Love this.

[EagleMBA]

5 hours ago, Skipper said:

But senior setter Amy Henard may have the oddest routine of them all.

“This is really weird,” Henard said. “But, I shave my legs the night before [a game]. It’s a superstition that I have.”

 

Note to self:  Only ask Amy out during the volleyball season.