U.S. House members wager on Carolina Panthers

The Seattle Seahawks may have their sights on playing in a third straight Super Bowl, but three members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation are showing a bit of swagger in betting that the Carolina Panthers will oust the visiting Seahawks from the National Football League playoffs on Sunday.

Republican Reps. Robert Pittenger and Patrick McHenry, along with Democratic Rep. Alma Adams “are looking forward to enjoying salmon and chocolate next week thanks to a friendly wager” with Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott, read a press release the North Carolina trio put out Friday.

“Following the Panthers victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Congressman Jim McDermott will present Congressman Pittenger, Congressman McHenry, and Congresswoman Adams with a basket of Washington state treats, including salmon and Theo’s chocolate,” it said.

The Seahawks narrowly survived last Sunday’s wild card match with Minnesota, by a score of 10-9, thanks to a missed Vikings field goal from close range in the final seconds. Pittenger said he spent most of that game “brainstorming what treats the Minnesota delegation might have to offer.”

But since the Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-17 in last year’s playoffs, he said, “it will be nice to get some payback.”

“In the highly unlikely scenario of a Panthers loss, I’ve agreed to send Congressman McDermott some of North Carolina’s famous Cheerwine soft drink and Bojangles’ chicken.”

Seattle won the 2014 Super Bowl in a route and narrowly lost to the New England Patriots, 28-24, in last year’s Super Bowl, but Pittenger pointed to the Panthers’ NFL best 15-1 record, including a regular season win on the Seahawks’ home field.

Adams said she’ll be “saving a little room” to enjoy the Washington state delectables “after our beloved Panthers pound the Seattle Seahawks.”

“I’ll provide a dozen hot North Carolina Krispy Kreme doughnuts if it doesn’t go our way,” she said. “But I’m confident in our team. I look forward to meeting the Panthers at the White House after they go all the way.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 12:18 PM with the headline "U.S. House members wager on Carolina Panthers."