Congress

NC Rep. Pittenger delivers on Super Bowl bet to Colo. Rep Coffman

By Greg Gordon

ggordon@mcclatchydc.com

February 12, 2016 04:24 PM

North Carolina Rep. Robert Pittenger, left, pays off a Super Bowl bet to Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman. Courtesy office of U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger
WASHINGTON

Wearing a triumphant smile, Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman munched on North Carolina’s Bojangles’ chicken and Cheerwine.

Fellow Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger of North Carolina ate crow.

Pittenger, the loser in a friendly wager that the Carolina Panthers would defeat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl on Sunday, made good on the bet Friday by delivering a bag of Bojangles’ chicken and biscuits, as well as a half-dozen bottles of wild cherry-tasting Cheerwine to Coffman’s Capitol Hill office.

“Great day to be a @Broncos fan,” Coffman wrote in tweeting that Pittenger had fulfilled his obligation.

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Pittenger lamented: “I was hoping to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ while enjoying microbrews and candy from Colorado.”

But alas, the Denver Broncos prevailed 24-10 in the National Football League’s 50th Super Bowl behind a dominant defense.

“At least I can find solace in the fact that my friend from Colorado gets to experience North Carolina’s Bojangles’ chicken and Cheerwine soft drink,” Pittenger said.

Today’s treats are definitely a step up from Rocky Mountain oysters (a delicacy made by frying a bull’s testicles).

North Carolina Rep. Robert Pittenger

Bojangles’ is based in Charlotte and doesn’t have any locations in Colorado. Cheerwine was created in Salisbury, N.C., and has become a worldwide hit, though it can be found only in a handful of Colorado locations.

Pittenger preferred not to dwell on Sunday’s disappointment, but rather to think ahead.

“The Panthers had an incredible year, and I’m proud of our team,” he said. “We’ll be back to the Super Bowl soon, no doubt about that!”

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Greg Gordon: 202-383-0005, @greggordon2