What are the most unusual pre-game rituals off the NFL field?

Former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis was famous for pulling off a little “squirrel dance” before every game. That, as many would agree, is quite odd, but it’s also quite memorable. In fact, back in those days, it was a ritual that fired up his teammates and sent fans into a frenzy.

Pre-game rituals like Lewis’ dance have become somewhat of a culture in the NFL. For some players, it’s a simple hand gesture before every game. And for some, it might be something as unusual as eating at Chipotle before every game.  But just how unusual, or downright bizarre, can some of these pre-game rituals get?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some popular NFL pre-game rituals that are quite unusual. We will highlight who does these rituals, when they started, and the reasons they gave for sticking with them. Let’s get right into it!

Patrick Mahomes’ Single Sleeve

Patrick Mahomes’ ritual is oddly simple; he only wears one arm sleeve during games. This habit started back in his high school days and has followed him all the way to the NFL. Even on freezing Kansas City nights, Mahomes sticks to the one-sleeve look. 

While this is partly superstition, he’s admitted that it helps him with grip and sweat control. For fans, it’s even become as much a signature as his no-look passes.

Marshawn Lynch and His Skittles

Marshawn Lynch eats Skittles before every game. The tradition started back in high school when his mom would give him the candy before games, calling them “power pellets.” They quickly became his good-luck snack and stuck with him all the way through his NFL career. While it might seem unusual, Lynch swears the Skittles gave him energy, and over time, they became part of his “Beast Mode” identity.

John Henderson’s Face Slap

John Henderson’s pre-game ritual is also quite unusual. The former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle gets pumped for games by asking a trainer to slap him, hard, across the face. To Henderson, the sting of the slap jolted him into game mode and helped him shake off nerves instantly. It’s definitely painful. But it might also be effective. Henderson did carve out two Pro Bowl seasons, so maybe there’s something to it.

Tom Brady’s Spiritual Mantras and Stones

Tom Brady’s prep-game ritual is quite unusual. Thanks to the influence of his then-wife Gisele Bündchen, Brady incorporated spiritual practices into his routine. That included reciting mantras, wearing protective necklaces, carrying healing stones, and even having a personal altar. 

While unusual to some, Brady himself credited these rituals as part of his mental edge. And with seven Super Bowl rings, maybe the stones did have some power after all.

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Josh Allen’s Pre-Game Vomiting

Here’s one of the strangest: Josh Allen, quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, throws up before almost every game. This habit began in college, partly as a way to relieve nerves. Teammates even joke that it’s how he “gets the demons out” before kickoff. Odd as it sounds, Allen insists it helps calm him down and refocus for the challenge ahead.

Brian Urlacher’s Cookie Fix

Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher had a sweet tooth that doubled as a pre-game ritual. He must have two chocolate chip cookies before every kick-off. Urlacher himself admitted they were simply delicious and comforting, which might be exactly what he needed before stepping onto the field as one of the most feared linebackers of his generation.

Jake Elliott’s Pizza and Cheesecake

For Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, game-day confidence comes from an unlikely combo: a slice of pizza and a slice of cheesecake the night before. This tradition began in college after he nailed a career-defining 56-yard kick. He connected the dots and decided the meal had to stay. Cheesecake and clutch kicking don’t naturally go together, but for Elliott, it’s a winning recipe.

Harrison Smith’s Tabasco Shot

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith doesn’t rely on coffee to wake up on game day; he downs a shot of Tabasco sauce instead. According to Smith, the fiery burn is the perfect jolt to sharpen his senses before a game.

Emmanuel Sanders’ Madden Matches

Most NFL players study film before games. Emmanuel Sanders, however, had a different approach: firing up a Madden match against his upcoming opponent. For Sanders, beating the opponent virtually was a way of visualizing success on the field. Sure, it sounds silly, but Sanders’ career numbers and a Super Bowl ring suggest that maybe the PlayStation controller had more power than people realized.

Michael Strahan Talking to His Socks

Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan once revealed that he used to “talk” to his socks before games. He claimed he silently asked them which foot they wanted to be on, left or right, to make sure he put them on correctly. It wasn’t something he admitted publicly while playing; he joked his teammates would’ve thought he was nuts, but he swore the ritual gave him a mental edge. Considering his dominance with the Giants, maybe those socks knew best.

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