x
Breaking News
More () »

OPINION: Curses! D.C. sports can't live with 'em and they can't live without 'em

Once the Capitals won their first Stanley Cup last June, a 27-year hex of no championships was gone. Until it was replaced by a new one -- the curse of the Cup.

WASHINGTON -- 11 months after the euphoria ended, D.C. sports' Wheel of Misfortune began spinning anew. Unmercifully, it hasn't stopped.

Three snaps into a non-contact football drill in Ashburn, Va., Monday, Reuben Foster tore his left A.C.L. and will likely not play for Washington this upcoming NFL season. 

RELATED: Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster tears ACL in off-season workout, reports say

The man who was supposed to make a difference on the defensive line, "stepped funny," the coach said. 

This comes after the starting quarterback, Alex Smith, shattered the fibula and tibia in his right leg in the middle of last season, a gruesome injury that left teammates praying on the field. It's unclear when or if his career will continue.

A week later, Colt McCoy, Smith's backup and the new starter, suffered a broken leg. He still hasn't been cleared to practice.

Then John Wall, the Wizards' All-Star point guard, slipped and fell outside his shower in late January and ruptured his left Achilles tendon. After February surgery, he was not expected to return for a full calendar year -- and that's if rehab goes well. "A freak injury," team officials said.

On the misery and misfortune goes. 

For the first time since 2013, Ted Leonsis' NHL and NBA clubs were not playing in the Capital One Arena during the postseason in May. For the first time since 2004, both the Wizards and Capitals' seasons were finished before the NFL draft. 

The Nationals? Not only did they lose Bryce Harper to Philadelphia, they've lost 28 games in less than two months. They're nine games behind the Phillies already. Their bullpen closes worse than 7-11. 

You really can't make up the abject awfulness of last fall, winter and now spring -- all the seasons after the Caps won the Stanley Cup. 

Remember, almost a year ago now, the first championship parade down Constitution Avenue in three decades -- the goosebumps generated by banner-raising night at Cap One Arena?

Credit: WUSA9

Yeah, me either. Who knew winning the Cup would hurt this much? The curse of Lord Stanley. It's real.

Before You Leave, Check This Out