Governor McCrory Makes Super Bowl Wager With Colorado Governor; Predicts Panthers Will Win Big | Eastern North Carolina Now

Governor Plans to Attend Game on February 7

 Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory will be putting North Carolina turkey products on the line for Super Bowl 50. In a friendly wager with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Governor McCrory is offering to donate 50 cases of North Carolina turkey burgers and 50 cases of North Carolina turkey sausages to a Colorado food bank, and will add a donation of dog food to an animal shelter if the Carolina Panthers lose to the Denver Broncos. The turkey products will be provided by North Carolina-based Butterball, LLC.

 Governor Hickenlooper has counter-offered some Colorado-made products: 50 cases of Pueblo Salsa from Milberger Farms, Musso Farms and the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, 500 boxes of crackers from 34 Degrees Crackers and 500 packages of sausages from Continental Sausage to be donated to a food bank in North Carolina. He has also offered 50 Osprey back packs filled with school supplies, and will add a dog food donation as well.

 In addition to the wager, Governor McCrory has predicted the final score for the February 7th showdown.

 "I predict the Panthers will win 33-10," said Governor McCrory. "The Broncos may have one of the best defenses in the league, but they haven't faced Cam Newton and his offense yet. I fully expect the Carolina Panthers to be Super Bowl 50 Champions. I am good friends with Governor Hickenlooper, but his team will be on the losing end this time."

 "This Broncos team has proven time and time again that they know how to overcome challenges," said Governor Hickenlooper. "The Carolina Panthers are certainly a formidable foe, but they will simply be another challenge that our Broncos will overcome in Super Bowl 50. Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Pat Bowlen and the entire Broncos team deserve a championship to cap a season that will be remembered as nothing short of magical."

 Governor McCrory and Governor Hickenlooper will both attend the game to personally cheer on their hometown teams at Levi's Stadium. They plan to get together before the game on Sunday. The two governors have known each other since they were mayors; Governor Hickenlooper was the mayor of Denver and Governor McCrory was the mayor of Charlotte.

 The last time the Panthers and Broncos played each other was in 2012. Denver leads the series 3-1.

 The Carolina Panthers improved their record to 17-1 after winning the NFC Championship over the Arizona Cardinals to advance to the Super Bowl. Denver beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

• Contact:
•  Crystal Feldman
•  govpress@nc.gov