Denver’s Mayor injured while practicing Ray Lewis’ dance

Politicians are rarely taken seriously and the following story will add one more piece of evidence to the ever-growing list of why that is. This is certainly true because it’s all too good to even attempt to make up.

Whenever there is a major sporting event, politicians jump at the opportunity for additional PR. They create wagers between themselves and the rival area’s person of the same political office (mayor vs. mayor, governor vs. governor, etc). This was once again the case last week as Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock came to an agreement for a nice meal and minor level of embarrassment depending on the outcome of Saturday’s AFC Divisional playoff matchup between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.

Hancock’s part of the bet – which he is responsible for thanks to the Ravens’ win – was to send Rawlings-Blake a box of “cowboy cut” rib-eye steaks…AND to perform Ray Lewis’ “squirrel” dance.

The first part was no problem. It’s that second part of the bet that is giving Mayor Hancock some trouble.

Rawlings-Blake will have her meal in time but the entertainment portion will have to be put on hold until a later day. Hancock’s publicist Amber Miller announced that the Mayor injured himself “during pre-game warm-ups,” according to a story from the Denver Post.

The first reaction (especially since the story involves politicians) is likely one of doubt that Hancock actually hurt himself; however, he is, “expected to be on the field in the second half, ready to carry out the game plan and fulfill his end of the wager,” according to Miller.

Hopefully Hancock doesn’t flub his second-half performance as badly as Broncos’ safety Rahim Moore did on what became a 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Jacoby Jones to force overtime.

As was the case in the game on Saturday, this battle will force fans into overtime as they anticipate the outcome. This one might be worth the wait too though – if a man actually hurt himself during warm-ups of Lewis’ dance, the actual dance itself could possibly provide fans with yet another instant classic memory thanks to Saturday’s game.

photo: Denver Post