Lawmakers wager on college football national championship game

Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) has only officially held office in the Senate for three days, but he’s already taking part in a popular congressional ritual: the friendly sports wager.

Donnelly and former House colleague Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) have wagered local goods — and fan attire — on the outcome of the 2012 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship Game.

The University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide and Indiana-based Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish will face off in the college football game Monday night.

If Crimson Tide wins, expect to spot Donnelly sporting a University of Alabama tie; if Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish win, Sewell will wear a Notre Dame necklace. Donnelly will also provide an assortment of South Bend Company chocolates to Sewell’s office if Sewell’s team comes out on top; if the reverse is true, Sewell will provide ribs from Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to Donnelly’s office.

Sens. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) made a similar wager on the game last week. If Notre Dame wins on Monday night, Shelby will provide Coats’s office with BBQ from Dreamland; if Crimson Tide wins, Coats will deliver a goodie basket from South Bend Chocolate Co. to Shelby’s office, according to a press release from Coats.

Lawmakers in both states were gearing up for the game with tweets on Monday.

Just made a friendly wager with @sendonnelly on the #BCSChampionship. Looking forward to a #Bama victory! #RollTide 1.usa.gov/UCy6KR

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 7, 2013

Is everybody excited about the National Championship game tonight? Two great teams, but Alabama is going to win, right? #RollTide

— Rep. Martha Roby(@RepMarthaRoby) January 7, 2013

Updated Jan. 8 at 9:25 a.m.

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