From Congress to counties, friendly wagers are on

The national championship game Monday night between Ohio State and Oregon has generated so much talk between the U.S. senators from Oregon and Ohio that both sides have decided it’s time to back it up by putting up “very personal” stakes.

Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have settled on a bet with Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman that all parties have pledged to fulfill in public on the Capitol steps.

If Oregon beats Ohio State on Jan. 12, Senators Brown and Portman have agreed to learn how to “throw the O” sign with instructions from their Oregon colleagues and from the Oregon Duck if and when the Ducks visit Washington, DC as national champions.

If Ohio State defeats Oregon, Senators Wyden and Merkley have agreed to help their Ohio colleagues spell “O-H-I-O.”

“We make this wager in full confidence that Oregon will win Monday night with its high-octane offense led by Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and its swarming, ball-hawking defense,” Wyden and Merkley said. “And we of course look forward to showing our friends from Ohio how to make the universal symbol for Ducks’ dominance.”

“As a proud alum of The Ohio State University – I look forward to watching the Buckeyes bring home the first ever college football playoff championship,” Brown said. “The waterfowl of Eugene will put up a strong and respectable effort but will ultimately migrate back to Oregon empty handed. I accept Sens. Wyden and Merkley’s wager and look forward to helping them spell out the name of our great state after the game. Go Bucks!”

“I’m looking forward to seeing our Buckeyes bring home a national championship on Monday,” Portman said. “Whether you’re from Urban, Ohio or a Buckeye on the Bay, Ohioans are ready for a championship and I’ll be ready to show my friends from Oregon how to OH-IO!”

Meanwhile, the stakes for the National Championship Football game just got a little bigger for commissioners in Lane County, Oregon and Franklin County, Ohio. The commissioners have agreed on a wager of a basket of local goods, each representing their respective county.

“We love the idea of a friendly wager between competing counties,” said Lane County Commissioner Sid Leiken. “It is fun to engage and promote local products around a huge sporting event like the National Championship. Most importantly, Go Ducks!”

“We always enjoy a little rivalry, particularly when we can help build better relationships with colleagues across the nation,” said Lane County Commissioner Faye Stewart.

Franklin County Commission President Marilyn Brown agreed, adding, “We’re excited about Monday’s Championship game and we’re proud of the time, effort, energy and dedication the players, coaches and their families have shown this season. Being able to participate in this fun wager helps communities build better relationships through collegiate sports regardless of the distance between them and I appreciate the opportunity to do just that. Best of luck to both teams and Go Bucks!”

Should the Ohio State Buckeyes prevail, Franklin County Commissioners will feast on marionberry syrup, a milk-chocolate Eugene bar from Euphoria Chocolate, hazelnut scone mix, lavender sugar, all while wearing an Ale Trail or Eugene-Cascades-and-Coast sweatshirt. Commissioners will also learn a little more about Lane County with an Imus Map of Oregon, covered bridge coaster set, “Go Ducks” wood round, a hike sticker, and an Animal House of Blues DVD.

Pending a University of Oregon Ducks victory, Franklin County will ante up an array of locally sourced goodies including Anthony Thomas buckeyes, notecards from the Columbus Museum of Art featuring art of local artists, buckeye necklaces, a frozen Crave Case of White Castle sliders, an assortment of macarons from Pistacia Vera, fudge from Schmidt’s Fudge Haus and Gifts, Thunderkiss cold-pressed coffee, Franklin County Where Government Works lapel pins, an Experience Columbus visitors guide, a “Zoovenir” from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and whistles from the American Whistle Company. Both baskets have an estimated value of roughly $120 each.

About Lane County

Lane County, home of the University of Oregon and the mighty Oregon Ducks, stretches from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the coast. The area is home to 73 parks, 20 covered bridges, the largest region of coastal sand dunes in the United States, and world class wineries and breweries.

Franklin County

Located in Central Ohio, Franklin County was established on April 30, 1803, less than two months after Ohio became a state, and was named for American inventor Benjamin Franklin. It is home to 1.3 million residents, making it the 30th largest county in the nation and home to the state’s capital – Columbus. The #1 zoo, library and science center in the nation are located in Franklin County, Ohio.