The "Drake Curse": Unpacking Sports' Most Viral Superstition

In the unpredictable world of sports, where narratives are spun as quickly as records are broken, one phenomenon has captivated fans and athletes alike: the infamous "Drake Curse." This isn't your average sports superstition; it's a global internet sensation, a viral belief that has haunted some of the biggest names in professional athletics. But what exactly is the Drake Curse, how did it start, and is there any truth to the idea that the Canadian rapper's support spells doom for a team or athlete?

What Exactly is the Drake Curse?

Simply put, the Drake Curse is a widely circulated theory that any athlete or team that interacts with, is supported by, or is bet on by the Canadian rapper Drake, will subsequently lose their next major matchup or suffer a significant setback. It's an internet sensation that comes about when a sports team or athlete has a poor result in their next match after an interaction with Drake. Fans use this term to describe how his involvement seems to "curse" outcomes, leading to crushing losses.

While it can be tricky to nail down hard and fast rules of the supernatural realm, the so-called curse seems to affect teams and individuals with uncanny regularity, at least according to its proponents. It's perhaps the most famous supposed "curse" in contemporary sports, based on an apparent pattern of Drake-supported teams or athletes losing.

A History of "Victims": The Curse's Most Notorious Moments

The "Drake Curse" has claimed many victims over the years, leading to a full archive and analysis of rapper Drake’s sports betting history, including his biggest wins, losses, largest wagers, and breakdowns by sport. An official list of Drake Curse victims has even been compiled by fans and media outlets.

Conor McGregor and UFC 229

One of the most well-known instances occurred during the weigh-in for UFC 229. Sporting an Irish flag, the rapper walked out with Conor McGregor. What followed was a decisive loss for McGregor against Khabib Nurmagomedov, cementing the curse's early notoriety.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' Playoff Heartbreak

Toronto's favorite son, Drake, has a deep connection to his city's sports teams. However, this loyalty has often been cited as a prime example of the curse in action. The "Drake Curse" popped up again after the Toronto Maple Leafs faced a crushing loss in their NHL playoff game against the Florida Panthers. Earlier, Drake had placed a substantial $1 million bet on the Leafs to win Game 7, which was basically a kiss of death coming from someone whose bets are believed to be cursed.

High-Stakes Super Bowl Wagers

Drake's penchant for massive sports bets has only fueled the curse's legend. Rap superstar Drake is known to "curse" teams and athletes from winning sporting events after placing massive wagers. For Super Bowl LVIII, for instance, Drake chose Patrick Mahomes & Co. to clinch the Super Bowl this season. The “Honestly Nevermind” singer took to Instagram to share that he had bet $1.15 Million in Bitcoin Crypto on the Kansas City Chiefs. He later declared he was betting an even larger $1.5 million on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Other Notable "Victims"

Anthony Joshua: The boxer became just the latest athlete to fall for the Drake Curse after his loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., a defeat that many fans attributed to Drake's prior support.
Various Football (Soccer) Clubs: Over the years, numerous top European football clubs, including PSG, Manchester United, and AS Roma, have suffered defeats after their players were pictured with Drake.

Is the Curse Real? Or Just an Internet Meme?

While the stories are compelling and the pattern seems uncanny at times, it's important to ask: Is there any actual supernatural force at play? As one observer noted, "There is no such thing as a 'normal' curse," but the one that has Drake’s name attached to it certainly behaves like one in the public imagination. Drake himself has even addressed the viral theory that any team he bets on or supports loses, acknowledging the internet storm it has created, especially when he recently lost $1 million betting on a particular outcome.

However, a closer look reveals that the "curse" is likely a classic case of confirmation bias. People tend to remember the instances where the curse "worked" (i.e., the team lost) more vividly than the times it didn't. While Drake is known to place massive bets, he hasn’t lost all of his sports bets. In fact, his betting history includes significant wins alongside the highly publicized losses.

Who Has Overcome the Drake Curse?

Interestingly, in recent times, it seems the curse is no longer in effect as strongly as it once was, or perhaps some athletes have simply proven immune. Back in 2019, the curse was at its very peak, with many sporting stars falling victim. But there have been notable exceptions:

The Toronto Raptors (2019 NBA Finals): Ahead of Drake’s beloved Toronto Raptors’ pivotal Game 5 showdown with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, many feared the curse would strike. However, the Raptors went on to win the championship, seemingly breaking the curse for his hometown team.
Tyson Fury (2021): In 2021, heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury was supported by Drake, and despite the fears, Fury emerged victorious in his fight, overcoming the supposed hex.
Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl LVIII): Despite Drake's significant bets on the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes & Co. successfully clinched the Super Bowl, proving that even a multi-million dollar wager from Drake couldn't stop them.

These instances suggest that while the "Drake Curse" makes for entertaining headlines and lively online discussions, it's more of a fun internet phenomenon than a genuine supernatural hex. It's a testament to Drake's global influence and the human tendency to find patterns, even where none truly exist beyond coincidence.

Conclusion: An Enduring Sports Meme

The "Drake Curse" remains one of the most famous and entertaining superstitions in contemporary sports. It's a viral belief that any athlete or team supported by the Canadian rapper will lose their next matchup, fueled by his high-profile appearances and massive sports bets. While numerous "victims" like Conor McGregor, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anthony Joshua have seemingly fallen prey to it, there have also been notable instances where the curse was "broken," such as with the Toronto Raptors' 2019 NBA Championship, Tyson Fury's victories, and the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII win. Ultimately, the Drake Curse is less about supernatural intervention and more about the power of social media and the human love for a good story, making it an enduring and amusing part of sports culture.