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Could it happen again on the eve of the Super Bowl?
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What do the losers of Super Bowls XXIII, XXXIII and XXXVII have in common? All three squads had a player do something terrible the day before the big game.
Will it happen again before Super Bowl XLIII? The odds are against it, but if the early Sunday news starts with a problem from the day before, it's a pretty safe bet that team will struggle on Super Bowl Sunday.
Stanley Wilson could have been the difference in Super Bowl XXIII. His Bengals would fall victim to a Joe Montana last-minute drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds left for a 20-16 San Francisco title, but perhaps the outcome was decided the night before.
Before the final pregame meeting on the night before the Super Bowl, Wilson reportedly went back to his hotel room to grab his playbook. He didn't show up for the meeting and a coach later found Wilson in his bathroom, high on cocaine.
The decision was an easy one for Bengals head coach Sam Wyche. Wilson wouldn't play in the Super Bowl. A shocked team went out and came up just short in a game that Wilson could have played a key role in numerous short-yardage situations.
Ten years later, in the same Miami city, the Falcons' chances of denying the Broncos a repeat Super Bowl title likely ended in the hours before kickoff of Super Bowl XXXIII.
Atlanta's Eugene Robinson decided he couldn't hold out, and left the team's hotel to pursue sex. His decision got worse when he was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover cop. The safety was released from custody and allowed to play in the game, but reports surfaced that the team was up well into the early hours of the morning discussing the incident.
Adding to the amazment of the story, Robinson was presented with the Bart Starr Award for his high moral character on the day before the game. The Falcons lost and Robinson was burned badly on a John Elway bomb to Rod Smith for an 80-yard TD.
The Raiders had a few more days to deal with the surprise of Barret Robbins' disappearing act. The Pro Bowl center apparently decided he couldn't handle the big stage and went missing a few days before Super Bowl XXXVII.
Robbins was found a drunken mess in Mexico, just south of the Super Bowl's site of San Diego. Instead of trying to block for Rich Gannon, Robbins spent Super Bowl Sunday in a hospital. After an early field goal by the Raiders, the Bucs scored the next 34 points on their way to an easy win.
The Steelers and Cardinals seem well grounded and an incident isn't expected this time around, but we never know if a player will crack on the eve of the moment.
Who will win Super Bowl XLIII? Vote below.
From the game to the commercials, whether you're traveling to Tampa or hosting your own party, Examiners have Super Bowl XLIII covered!Related Articles:
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