EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- The Oregon Ducks, ranked Number 3 in the country, have made the cover of Sports Illustrated, which will undoubtedly please opponents and raise talk of the curse associated with the magazine.
The cover features running back DeAnthony Thomas, describing him simply as "The Fastest Man in Football."
Is the jinx real?
Check out the history of cover athletes on Wikipedia page of Sports Illustrated jinxes. Of course there are times the cover had no effect on an athlete's performance. But then again . . .
August 1954, Braves' third baseman Eddie Mathews makes the first cover. The team blows a nine-game win streak and Mathews later breaks a hand and misses eight games.
In 1964, race car driver Pat O'Connor dies on the first lap of the Indy 500 four days after he's on the cover.
In 1969, Lee Trevino makes the cover and promptly misses the cut in the U.S. Open.
In 1984, Jack Lambert's "Man of Steel" cover precedes a turf toe injury and his retirement.
April 1989, must-draft college player Tony Mandarich turns into the NFL's "Incredible Bust."
March 5, 2001, Nomar Garciaparra is on the cover and breaks his wrist a week later. His career is never the same.
August 2001, Oregon State's Ken Simonton (what happened to those orange pants?) makes the cover, which declares the Beavers Number 1 in the country and the team goes 5-6.
September 2003, the Ducks make the cover after beating Michigan on a four-game win streak and lose the next four.
The Ducks play up-and-coming and Top 25-ranked Arizona on Saturday at Autzen Stadium after three easy wins.
Courtesy KGW.com
