If you think NFL players are all about stats and strategy, wait till you hear about their game-day quirks. Take Travis Kelce, for instance. Since joining the Chiefs in 2013, he’s been religiously downing French toast before every game—a ritual that’s seen him snag three Super Bowl rings. Then there’s Michael Strahan, who used to have full-on conversations with his socks, asking them which foot they’d prefer.
And let’s be real—these superstitions aren’t just for laughs. Oh no. They seem to work. Again and again. Brian Urlacher, for example, always had to have chocolate chip cookies before hitting the field—a sweet tooth that coincided with a Hall of Fame career. But if you’re thinking that these crazy rituals are limited to just NFL players, give yourselves another shot.
A few of the Panthers‘ supporters revealed that they stick to specific foods, outfits, or seats, believing it helps their team win. Well, turns out, all that weird pregame mojo isn’t just an old-school thing. In fact, some rookies out there are already buying it. We’re talking about the Patriots‘ fourth overall pick—OL Will Campbell.
While having a post-draft chat with the Patriots, Campbell was asked about his pre-game superstitions. “I have a lot. So, every Friday, well, now it’ll be Saturday, I eat the same thing for dinner, breakfast, lunch, and pregame meal every day,” the 21-year-old tackle said. But it was his craziest superstition that had everyone’s attention.
Get to know Big Will @will_campbell66 | @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/UlTNQXPoWk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 1, 2025
“I wear the same underwear under my pants since my sophomore year of high school,” Campbell continued. “They’re barely hanging on, but I’ll be able to make them work. I’m very superstitious in, like, my pregame routine, so I have a way that I go about it every time.” Rings a bell? Yup, it’s the same ritual the Chiefs‘ star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, believes in.
A couple of years back, Mahomes revealed that he’s been wearing the same pair of underwear in every game since his NFL debut. “Each and every day he comes in, he does his work, his notes are written a certain way [and wears] the same pair of underwear which not a lot [of] people know,” the former Chiefs backup quarterback Chris Henne had revealed back in 2023.
To make it obvious, Mahomes admitted that his wife, Brittany Mahomes, bought him the pair of underwear that he wore in his first season. And honestly, it turned out pretty well for the Chiefs. We’re talking a 10-6 regular season record. “I threw them on that first season [and] we had a pretty good season that season,” said Mahomes, about when the underwear superstition started. “I only wear them for gameday, though, so they’re not too worn down. They’re not these nasty [underwear], I clean them.”
Well, it’s safe to say that Mahomes’ superstition is giving some good results to the Chiefs. Five Super Bowl appearances and three wins? That’s crazy. But how well will it turn out for Will Campbell? We’ll have to see in the next season. Meanwhile, Campbell just cleared his mindset to play for the Patriots.
Will Campbell is honored to play for the Patriots
Ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, the Patriots have questions to answer regarding their fourth overall pick. Under Mike Vrabel’s leadership, the franchise was frequently scrutinized to choose a top draft prospect. Should they trade down to collect more draft capital? Should they trade up to pick either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter? Or the most important? Should they address their biggest need—left tackle?
See, the Patriots have been facing struggles at tackle since 2021. We’re talking when they allowed 28 total sacks in 2021, followed by 31 in the next season. And last year? It got worse. 52 sacks. Yeah, just like that. Turns out, Mike Vrabel and Co. used their No. 4 overall pick to select one of the best offensive linemen in this year’s class—the 6-foot-6, 319-pound offensive tackle, Will Campbell.
Now that he’s heading to the pros with one of the most successful organizations in the league, Campbell was asked if there’s one thing he wants Pats Nation to know. The 21-year-old OT straight-up replied, “I’m just super excited to get to work. I can’t wait to get up there and meet all of y’all. It’s an honor to represent this organization, and I’m just looking forward to the season.”
Well, Campbell’s enthusiasm to join New England isn’t just a talk—his track record backs it up. At LSU, the guy was straight-up wall. Campbell started all 38 games, barely blinked, and stacked up honors like Freshman All-American and later consensus All-American. But here’s the real kicker—he went 24 straight games without letting a single sack through. That’s not luck, that’s lockdown.
So yeah, when he said that he’s excited to work in New England, it’s surely a silver lining for the Pats’ tackle concerns.
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