Am I the Problem?

“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” – Taylor Swift, a lyric that’s supposed to be a joke, but lately, I’m starting to think it’s a personal attack on me for being an “anti swifie” for many years. But I promise I’m reformed now.

At what point does bad luck turn into a full-blown curse? I’m not saying I have supernatural powers, but the evidence is piling up, and I’m starting to think that every team I support is doomed the second I step foot in the building and I should be paid to not watch them. Man,   even the teams I’ve been obligated to root for are suffering under my presence.

Let’s start with the most glaring evidence: the New York Football Giants. My absolute favorite sporting team.  I’ve been to 11 games and I am on a 10 game losing streak.  The only time I saw victory was in 2013 at my first game versus the then Washington Redskins, and even that game was kind of tainted as Eli Manning got injured during that game.  I mean as a season ticket holder, you’d think I’d have witnessed at least one home victory last season. NOPE. The closest thing to excitement was the realization around game 4 or 5 that they had not scored a touchdown at home yet.  And the icing on top of the disastrous season, just when I thought I might finally see a meaningful moment? I skipped a game. And they won. Of course. Sigh.

It doesn’t stop there. During the New York Rangers’ best stretch of play, I went to a game fully expecting to witness greatness, maybe an overtime loss. Instead, I witnessed a shutout against them. No goals. Nothing. Just vibes and disappointment. Truly the worst performance I saw the boys in blue put up in a long time.

Maybe soccer would be different, I thought. Maybe an international friendly would break the spell I mean at least it’ll be fun. So I went to watch Real Madrid vs. Barcelona and then Arsenal vs. Liverpool in back-to-back weekend summer matches, hoping to see at least one of my favorite powerhouse clubs do their thing. What happened? Loss and you guessed it again, Loss. Surely American soccer would be better, and I went to a few NYCFC games towards the end of their season as they chased a playoff birth. A mix of losses and draws, because even in the MLS, I’m not allowed to witness a full win.

Baseball? Same story. Went to a Yankees game, and they lost.

Even a simple, casual outing to a college basketball game during my first week at my new job ended with a loss. The school I was supposed to support? Couldn’t get it done. You’d think my streak would have to snap at some point, but no and it extends to collegiate sports too I learned.

So… Am I the Problem?

There comes a time when you have to stop blaming external forces and start looking inward. Maybe it’s not the teams. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the common denominator. I don’t know what I did to deserve this. Maybe I unknowingly offended a sports god. Is this the universe’s sick way of making me suffer after having all things considered, a phenomenal childhood sports-wise. Two Super Bowl’s and a World Series! All I know is that until further notice, any team I care about is in imminent danger if I show up to watch them play.

But that won’t stop me? Or will it? I mean… do I stop going to games? Or do I embrace the chaos and see just how far this losing streak can go? Do I try and get Eagles season tickets and have their season crumble.  I mean maybe it’s a sacrifice I’ll have to do and if this gets the Giants wins or anyone else, I’ll do it.