There is Monday night football, Thursday
night football, and obviously Sunday. Philadelphia fans

are seen as the ‘craziest’ by many, from climb-
ing lampposts, to worshipping players.

In many ways, sports are becoming
a religion in it of themselves. Some believe
that sports teams and major players can make
an impact on current events, because of their

large followings. Those big fans might do sim-
ilar things with their favorite football player

or team that others would do with their
religion. Looking at some of the superstitions

here at Wilmington Friends School, the devo-
tion to sports is apparent.

Jake Mahashawari, a sophomore
at Wilmington Friends School, is a big-time
Buffalo Bills fan. He shared some of his
traditions and superstitions. Mahashawari
says, “First, you always have to wear zubaz
on game day. They are unique pants that only
real fans know.”
For everyone who doesn’t wear Zubaz, they
are fun pants that are special for Bills fans to wear on
game days. Another thing Maheshwari 27’ wears on
game days is certain jerseys. Depending on if the game
is home or away, he matches the color of the player’s
jersey to his own.
Similar to Mahashawari’s 27’ superstitions,
Chuma Chukwuocha, a sophomore at Wilmington

Friends School, is a big fan of the Eagles. Chuma be-
lieves in superstitions. He says, “I have a pair of pants

that I wear every game after we make the playoffs.”
Many people have different superstitions
based on their favorite team and how big of a fan they
are. These superstitions and traditions are starting to
create a new culture surrounding sports, much like
how religion is a form of culture.

Mr. Schropp, one of the history teachers at
Wilmington Friends School says, “Teams and athletics
can lift people up during really hard times, at a high
school level, success can lift a school up, a unifying
element.” This presents the idea that sports can bring
together a group of people. Whether it’s a high school
or the NFL, football and sports can unite people.
Sports can be like a community, just like how religion

is a community.
Another thing Mr. Schropp said about sports
becoming a religion is that, “Some people can certainly
build their lives around a team and season, they can
become extremely important.” This shows how sports
are very important to certain people depending on
how much of a sports fan they are.
Mr. Schropp says that as coach, he
doesn’t really have superstitions, but focuses
more on developing a routine. “We eat at the
same time, get out on the field at the same
time, warm up the same way, and go through
the same routine every time.” This would
apply to the whole team. When teams have
routines and traditions, it strengthens the
community they have built, and their bonds
to each other grow stronger.
Even some players and coaches have

superstitions. Stone Davis ‘26, a football play-
er at Wilmington Friends School, has many

traditions and superstitions of his own. He
says, “I don’t eat two hours before a game.”
Davis also says, “I wear the same undershirt
every time.”
Ryan Tattersall ‘25, the quarterback
for the Friends football team, says, “I listen to
music, usually the same music.”
Each person and team varying from high
school to the NFL, have superstitions and traditions

that help them play better and shape the commu-
nity they are a part of. These practices bring people

together and create a sense of faith much like religion.
Whether sports or religion brings people together, a
community is built either way.