When the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens square off in the Super Bowl this Sunday, Turlock Mayor John Lazar will have more than just hometown pride for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick on the line.
Lazar has entered into a gentlemen's wager with Audubon, N.J. Mayor John Ward – hometown of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco – where the losing hometown's mayor must wear the winning team's jersey at their next council meeting.
Should Kaepernick and San Francisco win, Ward will wear a 49ers jersey; if Flacco and Baltimore win, Lazar will wear a Ravens jersey.
“With the momentum and excitement in this community and throughout the state, I don't believe (I'll have to wear a Raven's jersey),” Lazar said. “I better not have to, either.”
Ward initiated the wager, e-mailing Lazar Wednesday morning to discuss the agreement. Lazar then called Ward to discuss the details, and the wager was announced shortly thereafter.
Both said the wager was intended to demonstrate support for their hometown quarterbacks and their respective teams.
Lazar will continue to demonstrate his support for the 49ers on Saturday, when he will proclaim this weekend “Go Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers Weekend” at a Turlock Unified School District Foundation Tailgate Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in the parking lot of Pitman High School.
While Lazar is a fan of football and the 49ers, as mayor he is equally energized about Kaepernick's chance to put Turlock in the national spotlight.
“The Chamber of Commerce should be very excited about the attention and the business (Kaepernick) is bringing to our community,” Lazar said.
