No Pants Sunday
Almost every loyal sports fan has one. There are those who have a special shirt they wear on game day. Some shower at a certain time before each game. I even read about one sports fan who said “Whenever I watched an episode of ‘Desperate Housewives’ the morning of a game, the team I was announcing for would win. If I slept in late or decided not to watch ‘Desperate Housewives’ then they were always destroyed,” he says. “It got to a point where one of the catchers on the team unleashed on me and made sure that I had episodes on my iPod.”
Well I’m one of them. A super fan with a superstition. I’m not normally a superstitious person. I rescued animals for years so a black cat crossing my path is commonplace. I have no issues walking under ladders. However, when it comes to the Carolina Panthers, I can’t watch a game with pants on.
Yep. You read me right. No pants. We call it ‘No Pants Sunday’ but it applies whenever the Cardiac Cats play. This goes back YEARS. I first started following the Panthers in 2003, when Ryan put me through my 16 week training program. We were childless then, so Sunday afternoon football was completely different.
As holds true today, we don’t answer the phones or doors when the Panthers play. We Tivo the games so we can fast forward through commercials, so I can’t take the chance of getting a text or phone call tipping me off about the game.
We’d get beer, chips and salsa and start off the afternoon. The more we drank, the friskier we got. Basically, I ended up pantsless for each game (too much info, I know). That year, we went to the Superbowl. The night of the game I wore jeans because my friend watched the game with us. Carolina lost.
As the years continued, we married and started our family. I was pregnant with Jake in ’04, so going pantsless was not a priority, and we had yet to realize any connection between my state of (un)dress and the games.
If anyone knows Carolina (or even football, for that matter), you also know that the Panthers have yet to make it back to the Superbowl. The years have brought us many distractions. We married and had 2 children. We’ve moved twice and just finally got settled.
What I did realize that first wonderful year I watched the Panthers go all the way is that they really need me. Really. When my head is in the game, I can almost call each play before it happens. I’d say “block this kick” and it’d be blocked. I’d ask for an interception and suddenly the ball was ours.
I know it’s not all me. It’s also the media. If the Panthers are called to win the division, the pressure kills the game. It’s when we’re the underdogs that the magic happens. Carolina has earned the name “Cardiac Cats” not because they put a beat down on the other team, but because they cause their fans such immense stress during every game. We’re a fourth quarter team. Our ass gets kicked the first half, the coach slaps them around during half time, and we claw our way to a win in the fourth quarter. It’s just how we roll.
Well getting back to me and my lack of pants. You can ask just about anyone. If I lack pants, they win. If we have guests or the children don’t have a sitter, I wear a skirt. Those games are iffy. We’ll probably nab a win but it won’t be by much. Mostly, we just GET A SITTER. (People get so touchy about that)
If we have the day to ourselves and the pants come off me, we win. Without fail. If I’m pants-less and Ry’s shirtless, watch out. The day before I left for my NY trip, I was sick in bed and missed the game. I slept through it in my birthday suit and we had a shut out against Kansas City.
The following week while in Syracuse, we played Tampa Bay. Not having the Sunday ticket, I had to head to the local bar to watch the game alone. It was cold and in my poor planning, all I brought were jeans. Tampa kicked our ass.
At one point during the game the bar manager offered me a blanket, joking that I could de-pants and hopefully turn the game around. I know he was kidding but the way that game went, I seriously considered his offer.
Yesterday, Carolina played Arizona. I didn’t think we’d have any problems with the game so I didn’t think much about the routine. Anyone who watched may have noticed the half time turn around. Sure, some credit can go to the abuse the coach dished out in the locker room, but the credit also goes to me.
I’m curious to hear if anyone else has any habits or superstitions before a game. Do you or your spouses have to wear a hat backwards or sit in a certain chair? Carolina has a bi this week, so they won’t be playing. I’ll actually have two whole days with my family this weekend. I have no idea what I’ll do with myself but I know I can at least wear jeans without feeling guilty!
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I just, um, well, I got nothin.
I am at a lost for words.
LOL
Absolutely great post!!!
[...] Original Julie Maloney [...]
So what happens if they go to the super bowl? Will you be having a party with no pants!?!
That made me giggle! Hey, if it works, go for it! Perhaps you could explain to your family how important it is so they’ll be sure to watch the kids for you on game days? Nah, didn’t think so.
I learned my lesson from the first superbowl. If we go back, no one is allowed over!
This is giving me ideas! Because, with the exception of last Thursday’s game, any time Big Guy is within 100 square miles of a TV broadcasting WVU football, the Mountaineers lose.
Obviously, the solution is to make him go pantsless. He’d probably even like it.
Was tempted to say, “funny post; thanks for the laugh.” Except these superstitions are serious business!
Take the No Pants Quiz:
http://www.jokesunlimited.com/nopantsquiz.php
LOL!! OK, I haven’t followed sports since I moved away from Vancouver and stopped watching hockey. I’m sure I had my superstitious habits then, but it’s been close to 20 years so I can’t remember very well. Nowadays, my old heart can’t take the excitement so I try not to watch any games where I know I’m going to be rooting for someone (such as the Federer-Nadal match).
Umm… Well, I’ve banned a couple Packer sweatshirts during the football season, but that is about as exciting as it gets…
as a die hard Steelers fan..I firmly believe in the game traditions…mine however,are season by season, always different..
I completely respect your ‘no pants’ ju-ju..
Well my little superstition is hiding my wife’s pants before kickoff. That’s just good planning.
Also, it’s called a ‘bye’ week, not a ‘bi’ week. I think a ‘bi’ week would be an entirely different situation, and just not good use of the team’s time. ;o)
I tagged you and am giving you a couple awards!
http://mamabelly.blogspot.com/2008/10/tagged-and-awards.html
If you know what works then stick with it. Like your writing…what a stitch.
forgot how I got here. Thanks for advertising on my site.
Booo Carolina…….Go Cowboys!!
Lol….with that being said…..I sooo totally thought I was the only one with the weird superstitions.
I was not always a football fan, that is until I met my husband. He is a die hard Cowboys fan. He often kicks himself if he forgets to wear the right jersey (he has 5), a pair of Lucky jeans that are holier than the Pope, and a pair of blue socks.
Since the opening game fell on my birthday, I decided I would kick back and watch the game. Just how you mentioned above about predicting a blocked kick, I do the exact thing and it always happens….call it luck or just great intuition. Well, now my husband insist that I am his good luck charm.
If we win or lose, it’s on me. If I leave the room, it’s a loss. If I fall asleep, it’s a loss. So, that is why the Cowboys lost the prior two games before last week, I didn’t watch….lol….I watched last Sunday, they won. I don’t think I will ever get out of the superstitious grasp of my husband. I guess I will take on for the team; they need me.
Lol…..I can’t stop laughing about you being pant less. I loved this post. Thanks for inviting me to your blog!
Ever since football season has began, game meal always consists of chips, dip, homemade hot wings, and a case of BL (Bud Light) Lime. The days we don’t prepare this meal, we lose.
Oops, that was weird….one section of my post moved to the bottom…….(making weird Twilight noise)
Thinking back to the game meal section…..I am soo tired of wings!! My husband has a lot of superstitious tendencies.
Yes… I had a coach with the same problem…always wore the same socks! She did wash them though! LOL
Go Graham Go!
So that’s how we win games
LOL. I really think we need Chris Suchan’s shuffle back too 
Darn him for going to be weatherman in Tampa!!!
Jen @ One Moms World´s last blog ..She Said What
If all the cool kids are doing it, I am going to do it. My team is the Dolphins, FYI- they face each other on Nov 19th. Game on!
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