Congress

SC delegation stakes bragging rights – and ’cue – on Alabama-Clemson game

By Vera Bergengruen

vbergengruen@mcclatchydc.com

January 11, 2016 04:24 PM

Clemson safety Jayron Kearse talks during media day for the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship in Phoenix, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Clemson will face Alabama in Monday's game, and members of Congress have a friendly wager going on the outcome. David J. Phillip AP
WASHINGTON

Some very happy South Carolina congressional staffers will be enjoying free Alabama barbecue if Clemson University beats the University of Alabama to win the NCAA College Football National Championship title Monday night.

“With an undefeated record this season, I’m extremely confident the Clemson Tigers will bring the championship title back to South Carolina,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a statement. He made a friendly wager on the game with his Alabama colleague Sen. Jeff Sessions.

If the Alabama Crimson Tide take home the championship title, Scott will have to treat Session and his staff with South Carolina barbecue – but there’s more than just ribs on the line.

January 11, 2016
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If the Tigers are defeated, Scott will have to wear an Alabama necktie around the halls of the U.S. Capitol for a day. If they win, Sessions will have to don an orange Clemson tie.

South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan, a 1988 Clemson alumni, made a similar bet with his Alabama counterpart Rep. Terri Sewell.

“I commend my good friend Congresswoman Sewell for the tremendous risk she has undertaken by betting against the topped ranked team in the country, the Clemson Tigers. Unfortunately for the congresswoman, Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry does not play defense because they will need an extra defender as Deshaun Watson puts the Tide defense on ice skates. The Tide has turned in college football,” he said in a statement.

Sewell responded in kind, calling Duncan a “brave soul” for accepting the wager.

Football and barbecue go hand-in-hand, and Alabama has the best of both. It is too bad that Congressman Duncan and his staff won’t be able to savor Alabama’s delicious ribs. Roll Tide!

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala.

Duncan agreed to take a photo on the steps of the U.S. Capitol wearing an Alabama necktie and the trademark houndstooth hat of legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant if Crimson Tide is victorious.

If the Tigers win, Sewell will treat Duncan’s office to ribs from the famous Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and pose in Clemson apparel.

January 6, 2016
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Vera Bergengruen: 202-383-6036, @verambergen