A Philadelphia Eagles fan may have unknowingly invited misfortune upon his team after a viral video captured him desecrating the iconic “Terrible Towel” during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The move has reignited discussions about the infamous “Terrible Towel Curse,” a longstanding piece of NFL lore tied to the revered symbol of Steelers pride.
The Terrible Towel, a bright yellow rally towel created by legendary Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope, has become a talisman within the franchise, embodying the spirit of Pittsburgh football.
Over the years, the towel has been linked to a so-called curse: any player, fan, or coach who disrespects it often faces swift and devastating consequences on the field.
In a now-viral clip, the Eagles fan, seated in the uppermost row of Lincoln Financial Field, was seen dramatically flinging a Terrible Towel over the stadium’s edge into the cold night air. The act of defiance occurred during Philadelphia’s Week 14 clash with the Steelers, a game the Eagles ultimately won 27-13.
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While there were no immediate consequences for the Eagles, fans and social media users were quick to remind the bold spectator of the Terrible Towel’s storied curse. Many pointed to previous incidents in which teams or players mocked the towel, only to face shocking reversals of fortune.
One of the most infamous examples occurred in 2008 when the Tennessee Titans celebrated a win over the Steelers by stomping on the Terrible Towel. Their season, which had seen them secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC, unraveled as they went 0-2 to close out the regular season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The curse seemed to linger into the following year when the Titans lost their first six games, including a Week 1 rematch with the Steelers, and missed the postseason entirely.
In 2016, Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill tore at a Terrible Towel after scoring a touchdown while leading the Steelers 17-3. The Bengals’ apparent dominance quickly evaporated, as they squandered the lead and lost 24-20.
Even as recently as 2023, the curse reared its head. During Week 8, the Jacksonville Jaguars mocked the Steelers by stealing several Terrible Towels and waving them around after Andrew Wingard intercepted Mitch Trubisky.
Following that game, the Jaguars spiraled, losing nine of their next 12 games spanning the remainder of that season and the start of the next.
Now, Eagles fans are nervously eyeing their team’s postseason ambitions. Despite having already clinched a playoff berth with a stellar 12-2 record, the Eagles are locked in a tight race with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings for the NFC’s coveted No. 1 seed.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the specter of the curse looms large over Philadelphia’s hopes for a deep playoff run.
While Eagles faithful hope their team’s dominance will shield them from any ill effects, history has shown that the Terrible Towel Curse has a way of exacting its toll. Only time will tell if this fan’s impulsive act of disrespect will come back to haunt the city of brotherly love.
