Billy Penn/the Philly Curse WANTED Dead or Alive

On the road to the world series in 1993, the Phillies fitted the William Penn statue atop City Hall with an oversized red Phillies cap. In 1997, the Flyers adorned Penn with an oversized orange away hockey jersey. Both resulted in heartbreaking loses and neither were successful in ending the "philly curse". In the 2001 NBA finals and the 2005 Superbowl, the Sixers and Eagles respectively left the statue untouched. The result: still no championship. This Sunday, the San Jose Sabrecats (13-5) and your very own Philadelphia Soul (15-3) will meet for Arena Bowl XXII in New Orleans. When asked if he was nervous about combating not only San Jose but also the supernatural, Soul co-owner and Jersey native rocker Jon Bon Jovi said, "No... I have a secret weapon."

This morning, the William Penn statue atop City Hall has been covered in an enormous replica of Bon Jovi's fashionable '80s performing attire. Upon viewing the statue, Mel Gross, a Soul season ticket holder from Strawberry Mansion stated, "I cannot believe he actualy wore that. But it worked for him then and hopefully it will work for me and the Soul fans this weekend." 

Ron Jaworski, the more football oriented half of the Soul ownership, feels he owes the fans of Philadelphia a championship after quarterbacking the Eagles to a loss in Super Bowl XV. But does he think an Arena Football championship constitutes an end to the curse? "Of course it would. Arena Football is not a fad and the strong fan base here in Philadelphia proves that." 

Bon Jovi added, "A championship is a championship, and we're here to make sure that the people of this city get their parade."

"The William Penn Curse" began in March of 1987 with the completion of One Liberty Place in Center City. The new skyscraper exceeded the height of City Hall, atop which the Penn statue resides. Philadelphia has since failed to win a sports championship.

The Soul are making their first ever ArenaBowl appearance this Sunday, July 27 at 3 pm on ESPN and ABC in HD.