The movie character “Rocky Balboa” is revered in the city of Philadelphia with a statue. This is readily adorned with a jersey by opposing away fans to taunt the Eagles. As past history shows, this is not a good idea

For many, superstition and sport often go together. Thus, statistics are dissected down to the smallest detail, parallels are sought and so-called “signs” are related to the sporting in order to lull oneself into safety or fear.

The latest trend for all curse fanatics leads to Philadelphia and just there to the famous statue of the film character “Rocky Balboa”, who is first embodied by Sylvester Stallone in the 1976 film series.

NFL fans provoke with jersey action at Rocky statue

“Brocky, Brocky, Brocky!”

49ers fans are letting their presence be known in Philly at the Rocky Statue ️

(via @amysrosenberg)pic.twitter.com/FV6zeTwpR0

– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 28, 2023

Appreciators of some NFL teams have made it a questionable tradition to make a pilgrimage to this statue on an away visit to “Philly” and drape an opposing jersey over it to taunt Eagles fans and players. So did some San Francisco 49ers supporters before the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

The game turned into a disaster for the Niners. Sensation quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a serious injury, his backup Josh Johnson also had to go out with a concussion and Purdy had to come in despite the injury but couldn’t throw.

In the end, it was a clear 7:31 defeat, and the Eagles moved on to the Super Bowl, where they will meet the Kansas City Chiefs on 12 February.

In the end, did the 49ers fans provoke the collapse with their taunting and tempt fate too much? Because given the history of failed teams whose fans disparaged the Rocky statue in the lead-up to a game is long.

Philadelphia Eagles: Rocky statue cursed?

Putting jerseys on the Rocky Statue hasn’t worked out for these teams…. pic.twitter.com/yShQ2OlLov

– FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 31, 2023

So the 2018 Minnesota Vikings lost 7-24 in the NFC Championship Game after decorating the statue with a jersey, the 2021 New York Giants were sent home 16-22 in the Divisional Round after such a move. And the New England Patriots conceded a 41-33 loss in Super Bowl LII in 2018 after decorating Balboa with a Brady jersey.

Pure coincidence or a new calamity in the superstitious cosmos? The fact is: The curse of the Rocky statue has already caught a few teams in the playoffs – now also the 49ers.