In the Bio channel documentary on Manny Pacquiao, it?s mentioned that the world?s No. 1 pound-for-pound champion has appeared on the cover of several international magazines like Time and Sports Illustrated. I?ve read Pacquiao?s cover story on Time but unless I missed it, I don?t think he?s ever graced the cover of Sports Illustrated ? thank goodness.
Pacquiao is a favorite cover boy of The Ring Magazine and has appeared on the cover of many other boxing publications like Boxing News, Boxing Digest and Boxing Monthly. But Sports Illustrated? I don?t think so and if you?re superstitious, you won?t wish it for Pacquiao.
Since its first issue in 1954, the weekly Sports Illustrated magazine has gained a dubious reputation as the jinx of cover boys. You often read of athletes whose careers took a tumble after coming out on the cover of the magazine. Is coming out on the cover a kiss of death? Does it equal bad luck? Or is it a myth?
In the PBA, there?s also a lingering notion that a player who gets an award such as Best Import is jinxed in his next game. The same thing goes for a team that is cited like in B-Meg?s case a week ago when after receiving championship rings for capturing the last Philippine Cup, the Llamados were swamped by Barangay Ginebra in a 93-82 decision.
Sports Illustrated?s first issue had Milwaukee baseball player Eddie Mathews on the cover. After he was featured, Milwaukee lost and snapped a nine-game winning streak. Then, Mathews broke his hand and sat out seven games. In 1969, golfer Lee Trevino was on the cover in a US Open preview. Alas, the defending champion failed to make the cut on the first day of competition. Last Ja
