No hogs or bees this time. Just charity.
Adding to the long history of politicians putting up on behalf of their respective sports teams in big games, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he has come to to an agreement with his Massachusetts counterpart, Deval Patrick, on settling up their Super Bowl XLVI wager.
Following the Patriots' 21-17 loss to the Giants 10 days ago, the governor of the Commonwealth will deliver products this week to the Food Bank For New York City in the Bronx.
And in the spirit of giving, New York companies involved in the initial wager volunteered to donate to food banks in both states (half to the Women's Lunch Place in Boston and half to the Food Bank For NYC).
"The World Champion Giants have given New Yorkers a fantastic win, bragging rights and a parade – now the victory will give local food banks a shot in the arm when Massachusetts pays up on our bet," Governor Cuomo said. "As we all know, New Yorkers like to give and to help when help is needed. That's why the New York companies that were involved in the wager have volunteered to give to food banks in New York and Massachusetts. I thank them and, once again, I congratulate the Giants."
Massachusetts will send:
- 46 Centerville Pies from "The Pie Ladies" in Centerville
- Legal Sea Foods clam chowder
- 46 cases of Food Should Taste Good chips in Needham Heights
New York will send:
- A total of 46 cases of New York-made Greek yogurt, evenly divided between the two states.
- Junior's Most Fabulous Cheesecake and Desserts, located in Brooklyn, will donate 46Cheesecakes, with 23 going to each state.
- Ess-a-Bagel, located in Manhattan, will donate 46 dozen bagels, with 23 dozen going to each state.
Alan Rosen, owner of Junior's Cheesecake, said, "The Super Bowl is a once a year event but hunger and the need for food are year-round issues. So we are proud to continue our commitment to giving by donating these cheesecakes to help alleviate this need in some small way."
Florence Wilpon, Co-Founder of Ess-a-Bagel, said, "Ess-a-Bagel is thrilled to participate in celebrating the Giant's win in the Super Bowl by donating our bagels to food banks in both New York and Massachusetts. Ess-a-Bagel has a proud history of supporting our community, and we are happy to be able to send our delicious bagels to help feed the hungry."
The wager brings up memories of other famous sports bets between elected officials, including the Virginia and Florida governors before Super Bowl XVII.
As his Washington Redskins were set to take on the Miami Dolphins, Virginia Gov. Charles Robb offered up a pig named Josephine, a nod to the Redskins' offensive linemen known as the Hogs. Florida Gov. Bob Graham countered with 3,000 live bees, hinting at the Dolphins' defense called the "Killer B's."
In baseball, Boston Mayor Raymond Flynn agreed with New York City Mayor Ed Koch to fly a New York flag above Boston City Hall for a week after the Mets beat the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series.
More recently, the wager went outside the bounds of politics in last year's Super Bowl between the Steelers and Packers. The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh and the Milwaukee Art Museum wagered the temporary transfer of a French impressionist painting. Meanwhile, PennFuture and Clean Wisconsin held a fundraiser challenge as dueling environmentalists.
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