The stakes are high for some local movers and shakers as Sunday’s big game comes into view

As Super Bowl Sunday draws near, news of friendly wagers is being passed around. N.C. District 116 Rep. Brian Turner announced that he has joined on to an agreement between N.C. legislators and their Coloradan counterparts. The bet, regardless of outcome, will benefit the nationwide nonprofit, Habitat for Humanity.

If the Panthers win the championship, as is currently favored by Las Vegas odds, Colorado law-makers will be putting in volunteer hours, working on housing for those in need. If the Panthers lose, Turner and some of his colleagues will do the same. If the game turns into a blow-out, the stakes could get pretty high according to Turner’s announcement, “We have agreed that the Representatives from the losing State in Super Bowl 50 will volunteer for one hour to Habitat for Humanity for every point by which their team loses.” To add embarrassment to the mix, the losers of the bet will be compelled to put in their hours while wearing the opposing team’s jerseys. It’s all in good fun though and in closing, the announcement playfully added “Go Panthers. #KeepPounding.”

Meanwhile, a couple of zoo directors are getting into the mix as well. Chris Gentile, of the WNC Nature Center, has made a wager with Shannon Block, of the Denver Zoo. They’ve decided that if the Carolina Panthers win, Ms. Block will wear a Cam Newton jersey to greet guests arriving at the front gate of the Denver Zoo. And if the Denver Broncos win the game, The Nature Center’s own Director will do the same in Peyton Manning jersey.

Getting into the spirit of the wager, yesterday the WNC Nature Center’s panthers got in on the action! With WLOS reporting, the resident cougars had the opportunity to take a bite out of a Bronco-shaped ice sculpture. The artfully crafted, frozen piece was created by Masterpiece Ice Sculptures.

May the best team win!

From press releases submitted by Rep. Turner’s office and the WNC Nature Center. 

SHARE
About Able Allen
Able studied political science and history at Warren Wilson College. He enjoys travel, dance, games, theater, blacksmithing and the great outdoors. Follow me @AbleLAllen

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

8 thoughts on “The stakes are high for some local movers and shakers as Sunday’s big game comes into view

    • Able Allen

      Yes really. You might qualify, Peck old buddy. Got any friendly wagers going with malcontents in Colorado? I’ll add you to the post.

        • Able Allen

          Definitely not. I was just aiming for an apt description. In fact I thought it might be misinterpreted that way, so I changed it to a more objective term.

          • What’s objective about “Peck old buddy”?

            In your fervor to publish something, anything, about Turner you have lost your Democrat head.
            bit.ly/1L5NuEv

            Is that a new thing?

  1. Able Allen

    Just trying to be friendly. I wouldn’t call it a fervor. I received a couple of press releases about local notables having fun with the Panthers in the Super Bowl. I don’t perceive this article as being politically motivated, and it’s unfair of you to try to characterize it that way.

  2. “I received a couple of press releases about local notables”

    And yet you didn’t mention them. Now would be your chance.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.