Chilly Willy Mayor - San Diego Mayor Pays Up, Rubs it in

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is a man of his word. After his Chargers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, Mayor Sanders had to pay up by donning some Steelers gear and heading to the coldest place in San Diego - the Penguin Exhibit at SeaWorld. The ground rules for this friendly political wager was that the loser had to wear the opponents jersey and head to the place that most resembles the winner's hometown.

It was a friendly wager Mayor Jerry Sanders, a week ago, was sure he would win. Unfortunately, the Chargers couldn't come through last Sunday against the Steelers. Now it's time for Mayor Jerry Sanders to honor his bet with Pittsburgh's mayor. That means donning a Steelers jersey while hanging out with the penguins at Sea World.

Sanders was photographed inside the Penguin Encounter exhibit at SeaWorld, wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers hat and jersey, holding a "terrible towel," in salute of the black and gold defense, and standing next to a pair of skis.

That was the bet Sanders made with Ravenstahl before the game.

Had the unthinkable happened and the Chargers won, Ravenstahl would have had to return a photo of himself in Chargers swim trunks, standing with a surfboard donated by Bob's Mission Surf Shop in front of one of Pittsburgh's three rivers.

Turns out, the good folks in San Diego aren't the best losers. They couldn't help themselves. While much of the country is in a deep freeze, they had to point out how good it is to live in San Diego.

"It was 20 degrees in the Penguin Encounter -- a lot like Pittsburgh, in fact. When I walked outside, it was a perfect San Diego day -- sunny and 75. In San Diego, even when we lose, we win," Sanders said.

Thanks for reminding us, Mayor. Full Video below:

Candy Bets in NFC Championship Game: Losers Buy

Are city government budget's that bad? In a first (maybe to add insult to the injury for the loser), it seems that in the wager between NFC Title game Mayors, the loser has to "buy" something, instead of "giving" something. Glendale Arizona (home of the Arizona Cardinals) Mayor Elaine Scruggs has challenged Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to a wager over the NFC Title game. The catch? The loser has to buy a product from the other's hometown confectioner. If the Cardinals win, Nutter has to buy candy from Cerreta Candy Co. in Glendale and distribute the products at the next City Council meeting. If, the Eagles win, however, Mayor Scruggs will distribute Hershey's chocolates, made in Hershey, Pa., during her next meeting.

Bottomline: Hershey's chocolates? Really? We understand that Glendale Arizona is probably not exactly a hotbed of food traditions, so the best they could come up with was some candy from the local candy shop. But Philly went with Hershey's? Does the Mayor of Glendale walk down to the local Walgreens and buy some if they lose? Hershey's = weak sauce. Mayor of Glendale? Who even knew the Cardinals play in Glendale? I give the Mayor a little bit of credit for getting the wager done. The fact that you have to buy something if you loose? Not exactly the right protocol, guys. All those factors add up to the lowest score of the year: 5 Daleys.

Seattle Seahawks v. Chicago Bears. No Contest when Chicago is Involved

Although I'm a bit biased being that I live/work/play in Chicago, whenever Chicago or the State of Illinois is involved in the wagering, they always come "ready to play". If you've ever been to Chicago, you know that this is an "eatin' town". Some of the best food around is made, prepared, and consumed in the Windy City. For the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Chicago's Mayor Daley has put up a bountiful feast against Seattle's Mayor Greg Nickels. Here's the rundown.

What Chicago put up: pork chops, steaks, hot dogs, sausage, stuffed pretzels, potato chips, Mexican food, pizza, gourmet popcorn, Italian beef, beer and soda.

What Seattle has on the line: smoked king salmon, cheese, beer, Washington state wine, espresso chocolates and coffee.

Seattle's ante into the wager is a little light, isn't it? Perfect for a day at the orchestra, eh? Competing with Chicago is very difficult and Seattle fell short.