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The "Sports Illustrated Jinx" Trivia Quiz

The Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on 17 November 2003 ended a perfect season. The loss has also been blamed on the "Sports Illustrated Jinx". Whenever a person or team appears on the cover, something "bad" happens.

A multiple-choice quiz by GoodVibe. Estimated time: 8 mins.

Author
GoodVibe

Time
8 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
156,568

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
25

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
11 / 25

Plays
590

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 25

1. The first person to appear on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" was a victim of the Jinx.

True

False

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Question 2 of 25

2. In the 2000 Summer Preview issue, a gymnast appears on the cover and fails to medal. What country was he from? Hint

Russia

Belarus

China

United States

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Question 3 of 25

3. Prior to joining the Chargers, how many times was Doug Flutie victimized by the Jinx? Hint

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Question 4 of 25

4. Larry Bird was victimized by the "Sports Illustrated" Jinx as a college player, pro player, and a coach.

True

False

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Question 5 of 25

5. Andy North appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" after winning a 1978 golf tournament. What was this PGA major? Hint

British Open

PGA Championship

U.S. Open

Masters

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Question 6 of 25

6. What St. Louis Cardinal was victimized by the Jinx in 1968? Hint

Curt Flood

Bob Gibson

Steve Carlton

Julian Javier

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Question 7 of 25

7. In 1989, what team was the Jinx victim after appearing on the cover before playing San Francisco? Hint

Bears

Cowboys

Falcons

Redskins

8. In 1972, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was going for their third consecutive title, but the Jinx hit them after a cover appearance. Who did the Huskers lose to in their first game? Hint

USC

Ohio State

Miami (FL)

UCLA

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Question 9 of 25

9. Oklahoma lost to Notre Dame after a 1957 cover appearance. How many consecutive games did Oklahoma win before losing? Hint

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Question 10 of 25

10. What college team did Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas lose to after an appearance of a 1982 issue of "Sports Illustrated"? Hint

NC State

Duke

Marquette

UNC

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Question 11 of 25

11. According to a 1996 issue of "Sports Illustrated", who was the number one college basketball team during the preseason? Hint

Cincinnati

NC State

Ohio State

UCLA

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Question 12 of 25

12. In January 1962, Don Head of the Boston Bruins appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." What position was Don Head? Hint

Goalie

Center

Defenseman

Right Wing

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Question 13 of 25

13. Has anyone, who was retired, been a victim of the "Sports Illustrated" jinx?

Yes

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Question 14 of 25

14. Michael Jordan has never been victimized by the Jinx.

True

False

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Question 15 of 25

15. After appearing on a 1975 cover, Nolan Ryan lost his next ____ decisions?

Answer: ( Word or Number ... between 5 and 20)

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Question 16 of 25

16. Who did "Sports Illustrated" consider the top baseball team before the 1987 season started? Hint

Cleveland

Los Angeles

Minnesota

New York Mets

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Question 17 of 25

17. Dennis Rodman has been a victim of the Jinx.

True

False

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Question 18 of 25

18. Name one of the two quarterbacks on the 13 January 1997 cover.

Answer: ( Two words, or just surname ... name either one of the two)

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Question 19 of 25

19. What happened to jinx victim Bart Giamatti after his quote appeared on a 1989 cover? Hint

He resigned

He died of a heart attack

He was murdered

He committed suicide

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Question 20 of 25

20. What game did Alabama, coached by Bear Bryant, play in December 1973? Hint

Cotton Bowl

Gator Bowl

Rose Bowl

Sugar Bowl

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Question 21 of 25

21. What year did an entire U.S. skating team die in a plane crash after a skater appeared on the cover? Hint

1961

1962

1960

1963

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Question 22 of 25

22. In mid-December 1974, what NBA team led the Pacific Division? Hint

LA Lakers

Houston

Seattle

Golden State

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Question 23 of 25

23. How many consecutive marathons had Bill Rodgers won before appearing on the "Sports Illustrated" cover?

Answer: ( Word or Number ... between 5 and 20)

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Question 24 of 25

24. After Gary Payton was called "The Best Player in the Nation" in 1990 and appeared on the cover, what happened to Payton? Hint

Payton was injured

Payton scored 5 points in a game

Payton had no rebounds

Payton was suspended

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Question 25 of 25

25. Todd Helton appeared on a 2000 cover about whether hitting .400 for the season is possible. Sadly, Helton was a casualty of the "Sports Illustrated" Jinx. Over the month after his appearance, how many points did his batting average drop? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first person to appear on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" was a victim of the Jinx.

Answer: True

The first issue appeared in 16 August 1954 with Hall of Fame baseball player Eddie Matthews on the cover. After his appearance, the Milwaukee Braves had his nine-game winning streak end, and Matthews misses seven games with a hand injury.

2. In the 2000 Summer Preview issue, a gymnast appears on the cover and fails to medal. What country was he from?

Answer: Belarus

Ivan Ivankov was on the cover.

3. Prior to joining the Chargers, how many times was Doug Flutie victimized by the Jinx?

Answer: 3

In 1983, while at Boston College, Flutie threw 3 interceptions in a 27-17 loss to West Virginia University. As a USFL player in 1985, Flutie broke his collarbone, had more interceptions than touchdowns, and the USFL folded later that year. As a Buffalo Bill in 1998, Flutie went 12-30 for 154 yards with 2 interceptions in a loss to the Jets.

4. Larry Bird was victimized by the "Sports Illustrated" Jinx as a college player, pro player, and a coach.

Answer: True

In 1979, Bird and Indiana State team lost to Michigan State in the NCAA basketball finals. In 1983, Bird and the Celtics were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks. In 1997, as coach of the Pacers, the team lost the first game and started 2-5.

5. Andy North appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" after winning a 1978 golf tournament. What was this PGA major?

Answer: U.S. Open

North was on the cover, but the Jinx prevented him from winning another PGA Tour event for seven years. In 1985, North was on the cover after winning his second U.S. Open. It turned out to be his final PGA tour win.

6. What St. Louis Cardinal was victimized by the Jinx in 1968?

Answer: Curt Flood

After appearing on the cover, Flood went 0-14 with one error and later missed five games.

7. In 1989, what team was the Jinx victim after appearing on the cover before playing San Francisco?

Answer: Falcons

Cover model Deion Sanders was flagged for two illegal hits and allowed a Jerry Rice touchdown in a 45-3 loss to the Niners.

8. In 1972, the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was going for their third consecutive title, but the Jinx hit them after a cover appearance. Who did the Huskers lose to in their first game?

Answer: UCLA

The top-seeded Huskers lost to unranked UCLA 20-17

9. Oklahoma lost to Notre Dame after a 1957 cover appearance. How many consecutive games did Oklahoma win before losing?

Answer: 47

The score in the November game was 7-0.

10. What college team did Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas lose to after an appearance of a 1982 issue of "Sports Illustrated"?

Answer: UNC

The Hoyas lost in the 1982 NCAA finals to UNC. Ewing was victimized again in 1993, as the New York Knicks were knocked out of the playoffs after a cover appearance.

11. According to a 1996 issue of "Sports Illustrated", who was the number one college basketball team during the preseason?

Answer: Cincinnati

The game after Danny Fortson and Cincy were on the cover, the team lost to unranked Xavier University.

12. In January 1962, Don Head of the Boston Bruins appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." What position was Don Head?

Answer: Goalie

After appearing on the cover, Head was demoted to the minors days letter and never played another NHL game.

13. Has anyone, who was retired, been a victim of the "Sports Illustrated" jinx?

Answer: Yes

Ted Williams broke his hip in 1996 after a cover appearance.

14. Michael Jordan has never been victimized by the Jinx.

Answer: False

After Jordan appeared on the cover in a Washington Wizards uniform, his wife filed for divorce.

15. After appearing on a 1975 cover, Nolan Ryan lost his next ____ decisions?

Answer: 8

Nolan Ryan, then a California Angel, was 10-3 before the cover appearance.

16. Who did "Sports Illustrated" consider the top baseball team before the 1987 season started?

Answer: Cleveland

Despite the praise, the Indians started 1-10 and lost 101 games during the 1987 season.

17. Dennis Rodman has been a victim of the Jinx.

Answer: True

Within five weeks after appearing on a March 1999 cover: Rodman misses four Lakers games, leaves the team unannounced, gets cut from the Lakers, and files for divorce.

18. Name one of the two quarterbacks on the 13 January 1997 cover.

Answer: Mark Brunell

Brunell (playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars) and Collins (playing for the Carolina Panthers) made the playoffs, but were immediately knocked out after appearing on the cover.

19. What happened to jinx victim Bart Giamatti after his quote appeared on a 1989 cover?

Answer: He died of a heart attack

Giamatti's picture was not on the cover, but his comments about Pete Rose were enough. Giamatti is remembered as the man who banned Pete Rose for gambling.

20. What game did Alabama, coached by Bear Bryant, play in December 1973?

Answer: Sugar Bowl

Alabama was 11-0 and the top seed, but Notre Dame beat the Crimson Tide 24-23.

21. What year did an entire U.S. skating team die in a plane crash after a skater appeared on the cover?

Answer: 1961

Laurence Owen was on the cover. The plane crashed 15 February 1961, two days after Owen's cover appearance.

22. In mid-December 1974, what NBA team led the Pacific Division?

Answer: Golden State

After a cover appearance, Rick Barry and the Warriors lost to the 2-23 New Orleans Jazz.

23. How many consecutive marathons had Bill Rodgers won before appearing on the "Sports Illustrated" cover?

Answer: 7

Rodgers appeared on 30 October 1978. The next marathon he raced in after the issue came out resulted in a sixth-place finish.

24. After Gary Payton was called "The Best Player in the Nation" in 1990 and appeared on the cover, what happened to Payton?

Answer: Payton scored 5 points in a game

Payton had 50 consecutive games with double-figure scoring. His average was 27 points per season. Payton played for Oregon State.

Answer: 25

The issue about the Jinx was on the 20 January 2002 issue. In 1993, Barry Bonds also saw his batting average drop after he appeared on the cover of "Sports Illustrated."

Source: Author GoodVibe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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