PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The countdown to Super Bowl LIX is on and the bets are on the table.
On Friday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker placed a wager with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. If the Eagles win, Lucas will send Parker some barbecue. If the Chiefs win, Parker will send Lucas some Philly cheesesteaks.
“We’re excited, we’re gonna use this opportunity to lift up our frontline workers, Temple University Hospital — some of the best trauma care you can hope for in a tragedy. And we want to lift them up because they will be working during the big game,” said Parker during an interview on NBC’s “Today” show.
On Jan. 31, six people aboard a medical transport jet died after it crashed on Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. At least 24 people were injured, including a 10-year-old who underwent emergency brain surgery, and one man on the ground died.
“This is the time for us to lift Philly up — the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection,” Parker said.
There’s also a friendly bet between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. Both governors are fairly confident in their team winning. Kehoe says he likes Kansas City’s chances at a three-peat but said, “If by some unlikely twist of fate, the Eagles win on Sunday,” he’ll send some barbecue and other Kansas City food favorites.
After that, Shapiro said he was ready to “double down” and poked some fun at Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. He wagered some Miller’s Twist pretzels and Steve’s Prince of Steaks cheesesteaks to Kelly and Kehoe. Kelly bet Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce would “make history by securing a Super Bowl three-peat” and said she’d send over some steaks if the Chiefs take the L.
Shapiro said they chose Steve’s in the Northeast because they have been dealing with a lot since the plane crash.
“And I know business kind of dropped off. So we want you all to get out to Steve’s and enjoy a cheesesteak from there,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro is so sure the Eagles will bring home the win that he plans to keep the green lights that shine outside the capitol building on until Monday.
“Sometimes you have to congratulate folks and sometimes you have to console folks. And I just wanna say to you, you’re gonna have to console the good people of Missouri after the Birds whip the Chiefs in this Super Bowl,” Shapiro said in a post on X, responding to Kehoe.
The Eagles take on the Chiefs Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
“I know our Eagles are ready for this moment, and I know all of Philadelphia is too,” Parker said.