The Lineup: 8 superstitions you didn’t know ESPN commentators have

1. Jay Williams, ESPN college basketball analyst

“Every day since my junior year at Duke, I’ve written ‘Be Great Today’ in the palm of my hand. I was listening to Coach K [Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] and he was talking about saying we should strive to be great every single day, and I started writing it down on my hand as a reminder. How many times do you look at your hand throughout the day? It’s always there in your face so it serves as a constant reminder to keep positive thoughts in your head.”

2. Dr. Jerry Punch, college sports PXP and IndyCar reporter

“I am superstitious about the number 6. When I exercise, I make sure when I stop, there are no 6’s anywhere on the screen, in time, distance or calories burned. I keep going until there is not a 6 anywhere.”

3. Sage Steele, NBA Countdown host, SportsCenter co-Host

“I chew gum before our shows and then I’ll try to spit it into a nearby trash basket. If it goes in, it’s going to be a good show. Yeah, so watch out everybody.”

4. Dave Rieff, NHRA on ESPN anchor

“As my birthday falls on the 13th, the number 13 has always been my lucky number and therefore holds no superstitions. And in my 13-year-old daughter Abby’s case, when the number 13 was not available to her for a soccer jersey, I did the next best thing: She wears number 26, which of course is 13 doubled. Perhaps I am in the minority but I actually look forward to Friday the 13ths.”

“My picture as a senior at Iowa State where I was a (back-up) place kicker (and wore 13).” (Dave Rieff)

Abby Rieff wearing 13 for the U2001 Girls Nebraska Soccer Olympic Developmental Team. (Dave Rieff)

Abby in 26 for her Omaha Football Club team. (Dave Rieff)

 

5. Peter Burns, SEC Network host

“Every night when I’m sitting at the set desk about to go on, I write ‘Dream Job’ at the top of my notes. It just helps me settle in and remember how incredible the opportunity, whatever the day is.”

6. Allen Bestwick, play-by-play announcer for college sports, tennis, golf and IndyCar

“When I play hockey I always dress the same way, left first, then right … left shin guard, then right, etc. Just can’t do it any other way, no understanding of why.”

7. Fernando Palomo, soccer play-by-play commentator, Fuera de Juego host

“I walk into every building, stadium, booth, first step, airplane, bathroom, office, restaurant, field, doctor’s office, supermarket, bar-b-q spot, two-step dancehall, pool, pool bar or Oscars award ceremony (if I ever had to) with my right foot.”

8. Alyssa Roenigk, ESPN The Magazine senior writer

“I think the thing I’m most superstitious about is not being superstitious. If you need to write in a certain chair or wear a certain shirt before a game and you don’t have those things, you’re screwed. . . Although I do feel very strongly about always cheers-ing before drinking with friends and always pouring the other person’s sake and letting someone else pour mine.”

Andy Hall, Gracie Blackburn, Ben Cafardo, Gabriela Nunez and Danny Chi contributed to this post.