The gray stone steps, 72 to be precise, on the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork results in the long-lasting “Rocky Statue”. The fictional Rocky Balboa character that Sylvester Stallone performed within the eponymous film is forged in bronze in his attribute two-fist victory pose. Vacationers recreate the well-known scene the place Rocky, in his comeback quest, breeze up the steps, bloodshot eyes and the everlasting sports activities anthem, Survivors’ Eye of the Tiger ringing within the background.
However sports activities followers are cautious about visiting the positioning; they’re cautious to not put their jersey or flag on him. The Rocky Curse has struck concern in them. The assumption goes that if followers drape their crew’s jersey or wrap him within the flag, they’d invariably lose. Brazilian followers within the stadium and within the meals court docket close to the Centre Market had been heard asking one another grimly, placing their festivities apart: “Did you place the jersey or flag on Rocky?” A unfavourable nod, accompanied by a shudder, brings immediate reduction and a good embrace.
Created as a prop by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg for the 1982 movie “Rocky III”: it has grow to be embedded in Philadelphia tradition, and stands as a metaphor of the movie’s lasting cultural impression. Stallone himself had donated the statue to the museum on the flip of the last decade.
Good luck getting a jersey previous safety 😂 pic.twitter.com/Vd55Zom30u
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 18, 2026
Origins of curse
The origins of the curse are unknown however latest, nevertheless it started with NFL facet New England Patriots dressing up Rocky in a Tom Brady shirt they usually misplaced to the Eagles within the Tremendous Bowl. 5 years later, San Francisco 49ers kitted him of their apparel earlier than the NFC championship, they usually misplaced 31-7. Washington Commanders endured the identical destiny towards Eagles final 12 months, and a jinx was born. So gamers, help workers and followers rigorously keep away from placing the flag or package on him. A hearsay goes {that a} Washington fan tried to reverse jinx by putting an Eagles jersey on the statue. It didn’t work — curses have a conscience, too.
It has grow to be an city legend of types that Philadelphia tourism issued a warning to the followers on an Instagram put up: “Nearly as good hosts, we’d wish to share some details about a well-documented phenomenon in Philly: The Rocky Statue Curse. We remorse this communication was not shared earlier than final weekend however, right here we’re,” it learn.
“Numerous soccer groups (as in, American Soccer, not Fútbol — similar curse, totally different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue of their colours and gone on to lose. Ecuador dressed Rocky final weekend. Coincidence? Sadly, historical past says no. Philadelphia can’t wait to host you! (however Rocky doesn’t want your package),” it defined.
Unbeknownst to the curse, an Ecuador fan Gigio Benavides, a fan of Rocky, stitched a shirt by himself, printed Rocky’s title on the again and travelled 3,000 miles from his village for his nation’s match towards Ecuador final week. He measured the statue by way of on-line photos to make sure the shirt would match. Above Rocky’s title, he inscribed: “Dream, transcend, and make historical past.: “Rocky is an instance of self-discipline and consistency. He was all the time dealing with individuals who had a lot extra, however he by no means gave up. We would have liked that spirit,” he instructed a newspaper again residence earlier than travelling,
Brazilian and different soccer followers climb the steps resulting in the Rocky statue, marked with a FIFA World Cup brand, in Philadelphia, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, forward of Friday’s FIFA World Cup Group C match between Brazil and Haiti. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer by way of AP)/The Philadelphia Inquirer by way of AP)
The day earlier than the sport, he arrived in Philadelphia, visited his shrine and squeezed the jersey onto his muscular body with the assistance of fellow followers. He reached the resort, and to his shock, hate messages flooded his inbox. However he thought: “Possibly Ecuador might break Rocky’s curse and set the town free.” It was to not be, as Ivory Coast netted a aim within the ninetieth minute to interrupt his coronary heart and embellish the Rocky curse. “I used to be crying a lot that the fellows from Brazil and Boston hugged me,” he stated.
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Benavides’ misfortune served as a forewarning for Brazil’s followers who’ve painted the town in yellow. Alex, who got here from Sao Paulo says, “We weren’t conscious of it, and would have achieved the identical. We, too, had introduced double XL jerseys for him. Fortunately, somebody within the fan group shared a video of his and we had been very cautious to not put something Brazil associated on his statue.”
Haiti’s followers too had been cautious, even when their odds to beautiful Brazil was negligible. Joseph Ehiogene, who got here from Miami, a state with a large Brazilian inhabitants, too was knowledgeable of the curse earlier than he caught the flight. “I used to be anyway not planning that, however I might inform others. I don’t consider in curses, however I don’t wish to take any possibilities,” he stated.
Coincidence or a curse, followers don’t wish to invoke Rocky’s wrath.