FRIDAY THE 13TH
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 04: A black cat runs on the field during the second quarter of the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys game at MetLife Stadium on November 04, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Friday the 13th is here. Why is it unlucky? Why are we superstitious about the date in Western culture? Did you know in Spanish speaking countries and in Greece Tuesday the 13th is the day people a fearful of? I just learned that in Italy, Friday the 17th is a day of superstitious fear. But, back to Friday the 13th:
FRIDAY THE 13TH HISTORY
Apparently, our superstitions go back to mythology, when the ruler of mischief, Loki, arrived at banquet which brought the number of gods (small-g) to 13. Loki tricked Hodr into shooting his brother Balder, the ruler of light, joy and all things good.
Further superstition developed with the story of the Last Supper where Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples gathered. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, arrived and brought the number of people to13.
Whether it be Friday the 13th, black cats or broken mirrors, many people are superstitious about many things. Here’s a quiz about the number 13. Good luck!
TAKE A QUIZ
- This Hall of Famer led the Greatest Show on Turf for the Rams? Kurt Warner
- This number 13 plays for the 49ers? Brock Purdy
- This number 13 once scored 100 points in an NBA game? Wilt Chamberlain
- This 2 time NBA MVP wore 13 for the Phoenix Suns? Steve Nash
- What is 13 x 13? 169
- Who was the 13th President? Millard Fillmore (the last President not to be affiliated with Democratic or Republican parties)
- Who won 13 NBA titles as a player and coach? Phil Jackson
- What SEC team is currently ranked 13th in the AP poll? Ole Miss
- Who wore 13 for the Miami Dolphins? Dan Marino
- Who wore 13 when he became a New York Yankee? A-Rod
–Craig Shemon
ESPN Southwest Florida
13 Haunted Bars in Florida To Visit This Halloween Season
Not only is Halloween the season of scaring, it’s become quite the drinking holiday as well. And if you’re looking for a way to combine the two, look no further. With the help of Ranker and other sources, we’ve compiled 13 haunted bars in Florida to visit this Halloween season. And no matter where you live in Florida, you’ll find there’s probably one not too far away. From a morgue-turned bar in Key West. To another haunted spot in Florida’s oldest city of St. Augustine. And you don’t need to go to Universal to find a haunted spot in Orlando. Even Ford’s Garage in Fort Myers has a story to tell. And there’s a chilling story from Naples in our not too distant past.
All of these bars can be classified as “haunted” for one reason or another. But it’s their stories that truly give afterlife to their tale. I can tell you with 100% certainty that a bartender that can give you a little backstory on the bar you’re drinking at is going to get a better tip from me. I love that kind of stuff.
If you’re a little too creeped out to be drinking with actual ghosts, maybe check out an even darker side. This is as true crime as true crime can get. “10 Serial Killers Whose Crimes Were Committed In Florida.”
Halloween is my favorite time of year. I just love this stuff. So let’s get started, ands we’ll begin right here in Fort Myers.
Craig Shemon has been hosting afternoons on ESPN Southwest Florida since 2017. Prior to that he was a nationally syndicated host in Los Angeles at FOX Sports Radio and in Houston at Yahoo! Sports Radio. Along the way Craig did play-by-play for the NFL on FOX, NFL Europe, Big Ten Network, and The Citadel Radio Network. Craig is a native Detroiter and Indiana University graduate. He has been known to proudly display his Detroit and IU fandom on the air. Craig likes to write about athletes, create quizzes, and covers big sports headlines.