Governors Make Unusual Super Bowl Bet on Own Teams

The governors of Massachusetts and California are placing a friendly wager on the outcome of the Super Bowl match-up between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams. Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom say they and their staff will volunteer time at a local charity if their home team loses, reports the AP. Baker says he's looking forward to a California charity "reaping the benefits of yet another championship for New England." Newsom responded that he's confident the Rams will have Massachusetts residents "crying in their chowder."

The Boston and Los Angeles city council presidents are getting in on the Super Bowl LIII betting action, too, with the former wagering Dunkin' coffee, Gillette razors, and chocolate, and the latter putting See's Candies, Coffee Bean Coffee, and local wine on the line. The loser will also don the winning team's jersey at a council meeting. The Washington Post takes a look at the history of "goofy, good-natured" sports bets made by politicians, recounting a 1949 college football loss that resulted in a live bear club being flown to Chicago and a 1987 Super Bowl bet that culminated in a 1,300-pound Angus steer being delivered to New Jersey from Colorado.

(More Super Bowl stories.)