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I’ve been meaning to do this all week, but it’s been kinda busy. The press release on the news feed at the right and Fritchey’s goofy post at Illinoize reminded me.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today accepted a friendly bet with Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, as the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks prepare to go head-to-head Sunday at Chicagoâ€™s Soldier Field in the National Football League (NFL) Divisional Playoffs.

If the 13-3 Chicago Bears prevail, Gov. Gregoire will provide apples and smoked salmon fresh from Washington.

If the 9-7 Seattle Seahawks win the game, Gov. Blagojevich will send to Olympia, Washington 17th Street BBQ, a DuQuoin favorite, and Cozy Dogs, an Illinois tradition from Route 66.

This is a Chicago Bears divisional playoffs open thread. Have at it.

*** UPDATE *** A Spokesman-Review columnist trashes Gov. Chris Gregoire’s bet.

…Northwesterners come off sounding a bit snooty by betting salmon against barbecue on football, which is just a half step below betting a case of oak-casked chardonnay against a rack of non-micro brewskis.

Don’t we have anything else that far-off elected types want?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:03 pm

Comments

C’mon… Blago’s not betting anything from Chicago? I mean, I know the Bears are the Pride and Joy of Illinois, but the people smoking that delicious 17th Street BBQ are probably, sadly, Rams fans.

Comment by Dan Vock Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:11 pm
I must first admit to being a Packers fan. But I have a warm spot in my heart for the lovable losers from Chicago. 14 weeks out of the year I root for them. I am always saddened to see their terrible offensive play calling that results from their terrible offensive players… But this year was different, they had a shot at being great… Unfortunately Grossman came back to earth and became another Orton, Kramer, Tomczak, or any other mediocre Bears QB. I would like to see them go with Greise. But I think the Seahawks are weak enough that the Bears can win regardless. But after this week there are no slouch teams left. Other than perhaps the Bears???

I think they will win, but really have a lot to prove about their ability to make it any farther.

Comment by Robbie Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:13 pm
It didn’t go well the last time Blagojevich tried this. The Illini lost the basketball national championship game to North Carolina in 2005.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:17 pm
Will Pat Quinn hold up our end of this wager if Patrick Fitzgerald pulls the trigger this afternoon?

Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:17 pm
Vock, I just called 17th Street BBQ and they said they were “mostly” Bears fans. Scandal avoided. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:23 pm
Anon, that’s not quite true. Blago bet Mitt Romney of Massachusetts over the ALCS and won. The prize? Clam chowder.

But I will say that Illini fans like us have plenty of grievances with the state of Washington, considering it was UW that knocked us out of the tournament last year.

Comment by Dan Vock Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:26 pm
Cozy dogs? You mean the gubna is actually acknowledging the existence of Springfield?

Comment by The Abstract Prosaic Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:35 pm
The “other” Rex Grossman shows up, the defense is flat due to injuries and the lay-off, and Bears lose.

Sorry sports fans, but this is not the same Bears team we had such high hopes for in weeks 1-8. Since Week 8, the Bears have compiled a 6-3 record, facing some less than formidable teams; only one, the New England Patriots, is in the play-offs, and they beat us.

Despite a less than strenuous second half schedule, the Bears defense gave up average of almost 20 points a game, compared to 10 points a game the first half of the season.

The offense racked up an average of only 22 points a game, compared to 32 poinst for the first half of the season. That’s a net swing of 20 points a game, leaving an average outperformance over their opponents of less than a field goal. Against a weak schedule.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:36 pm
Cards Win! Opps wrong sport
I am hoping for a Bear’s win — that could be a flip flop from an earlier blogisode. The W will prolong the torture for the teams truly toubled fans. Only in Chicago could a team go 13-3 and endure the pasting they have been getting in the media. GO BEARS! Make the mopes twist in the wind for another week.

Comment by Reddbyrd Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 1:46 pm
I hope she likes BBQ and corn dogs because it’s headed her way.

Comment by Bomber91 Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:01 pm
Who gets the prize if the Bears win? Does Blago get that personally? Did Blago have to give her the points? What are the rules on this annoying political friendly bet crap anyway?

My prediction: If Noonan gets on TV during the game, Bears win by 17. If no Noonan, Seattle by 3.

Comment by Mike's Used Sports Section Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:15 pm
I think it is cool that blago picked something from downstate. However, it shows that no matter what he does people will criticize him? I get sick of previous governors always picking chicago deep dish pizza. Cheers to Blago for branching out!

Comment by Tweed Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:21 pm
17th Street is in Murphysville (the original store) and Marion (the second location) I believe, not in DuQuoin.

Comment by IlliniPundit Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:25 pm
17th Street is great, but it is in Murphysboro Gov.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:26 pm
Isn’t sports gambling illegal in IL?

And to misuse one of the finer quotes in movie history…

“Gambling is illegal at Bushwood, sir. And I never slice.”

Comment by Cornelius Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:50 pm
and to actuall address the open thread topic:

Bears, tree hunderd and eight seven, Seattle two. Give the Seahahks a pity safety. If Ditka were there, Bears, Five hunderd becasue no one can stop Ditka, Seattle negative 6.

And before the grammar gets criticized, it’s done on purpose folks.

Comment by Cornelius Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 2:53 pm
Murphysboro not Murphysville! Yikes. What about Pizza from Uno’s of Due’s????

Comment by I can't believe we did it again Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 3:13 pm
17th St BBQ is in Murphysboro, but they are a favorite vendor at the DuQuoin State Fair.

Jeesh, the Governor has his faults, but let’s not get so nitpicky we lose site of the big picture.

BTW, I would’ve gone with Big Elwood on a Stick from Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air in Alton — for a buck-ninety-nine, you can’t beat it. Hoffman needs to throw a little more clout around on the next wager.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 3:23 pm
Apples and smoked salmon?!? I’m a Packers fan and hope the Bears lose, but Blago got the short end of that deal.

Comment by Sarge Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 3:28 pm
Did the Governor of Washington get an MOU from the Governor before they made the bet?

Comment by Unclesam Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 3:39 pm
…and why is it that Daley is giving up do much more than the Seattle mayor is? o nthe news, Daley’s offering up Hot dogs, beef Goose island, Gino’s. and what do we get from them? Salmon and Apples?? what the hell is with that.

Comment by pickles!! Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 3:49 pm
Seattle will run over the Bears…20-14

Without Tommie Harris and a D that is tired from being on the field too much, Shawn Alexander and Maurice Morris will run for 200 yards in a lovely wintry mix. The only thing keeping this one close is Cedric Benson’s ability to run over Seattle’s undersized front seven.

Oh, and the Colts, Chargers and Saints will all win their respective games.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 4:15 pm
The Bears’ overall offensive statistics were better than the Seahawks’ this year, and the Seahawks are clearly worse on defense. When Rex is terrible he’s terrible, but he’s not always terrible. The Bears find a way to win, 24-16. Bring on the Saints.

Comment by Gus Frerotte's Clipboard Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 4:20 pm
We offer artery clogging BBQ and hot dogs. They offer nutritious apples and salmon. Anyone wonder why they are so much healthier than we are?

Comment by The Doctor Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 4:28 pm
You’re right Gus. Rex isn’t always terrible — just for the last nine weeks of the season.

Over the last nine weeks, Seattle’s averaged 21 points on offense and given up an average of 18 points a game. So, while the Bears offense was slightly better by the numbers, the defense was actually worse.

The big difference between the teams is turnovers. Seattle’s net fumble/interceptions for the season is +20. Chicago bearly broke even, thanks to a Rex Grossman performance that included 20 interceptions (and only 23 touchdowns).

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 4:44 pm
I object to this expansion of gambling.

Comment by Gregor Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 6:58 pm
Perhaps Blago can give her some votes as she mysteriously found the necessary amount to beat that DIno guy in 04.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 8:51 pm
The Bears will win, and my mustache will be better groomed than Blago’s hair.

Comment by Dave Wannstedt Friday, Jan 12, 07 @ 9:00 pm
This may be a little off topic, but for those of you who like fantasy football, have you heard about the Minnesota Public Radio station that came up with a “Fantasy Legislature” game? It works much the same way, with participants “drafting” actual legislators into six-person (bipartisan) teams and scoring points based on how many bills they get passed. Many of the participants are political bloggers like us. Imagine the possibilities if we could bring it to Illinois….

Comment by 'Lainer Saturday, Jan 13, 07 @ 7:16 am
“If the 9-7 Seattle Seahawks win the game, Gov. Blagojevich will send to Olympia, Washington 17th Street BBQ, a DuQuoin favorite, and Cozy Dogs, an Illinois tradition from Route 66. ”
17th street isinMurphysboroandMarionnotDuQuion.

Comment by Milorad Monday, Jan 15, 07 @ 1:25 pm