The number 13 is synonymous with bad luck and superstition – but some sports stars over the years have made the number their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fear of the number 13 is known medically as triskaidekaphobia and is thought to originate from Norse mythology about 12 gods having a dinner party in Valhalla with the trickster god Loki arriving as the 13th guest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later on, English language sources trace the phobia back to Jesus and the 12 disciples – Judas was the 13th guest to sit at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally, few sports stars adopt the number 13 due to those fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In football, it is widely used for the substitute goalkeeper while when Formula One cars were numbered in order, the number 13 was always skipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, many have had successful careers with the unlucky number on their backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most famous example is probably NFL legend Dan Marino, whose number 13 shirt was retired by the Miami Dolphins in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though he was never part of a Super Bowl-winning team, he is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks the game has ever produced and held many records upon his retirement in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain is another whose career was a huge success despite sporting the number 13 jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The giant centre was a two-time NBA champion, winning with the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like Marino, Chamberlain was regarded as an iconic hero in his sport and is the only player to average at least 30 points over the course of his entire career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chamberlain is not the only NBA star to have donned the 13 shirt, with 10-time all-star James Harden having worn the shirt during his time with both the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n