When teams representing geographically close cities such as Baltimore and Washington meet on the gridiron, urban honor almost requires their mayors to take to social media, flaunt their cities’ attractions and talk a bit of smack.
By Martin Weil
As they did. On the site formerly known as Twitter. In the NFL as in sports in general, one side has to win, and the other to lose. But playing the game also counts, and for Bowser, playing meant tossing back the gauntlet flung by Scott.
Scott started things Friday by posting a video snippet showing him in a Ravens football shirt.
“When the Ravens win,” Scott began, quickly setting out the stakes that would face Bowser.
Bowser, Scott said, would be required to declare his next birthday Baltimore Club Music Day in the District. And she would have to offer up crab cakes, a signature Maryland dish.
Then, with football-fan swagger, he contemplated what he clearly considered the unlikely possibility that he would be the one to pay off.
“If you win,” he began, quickly interjecting “which you won’t,” he would pay homage to go-go music, an entertainment form identified with the District. And he said she would receive the very best crab cakes.
Bowser, who is well acquainted with the political playbook, took the bet.
“Game on,” she replied. “I’ll see your challenge and raise you...”
When the Commanders win, you’ll declare DC Go-Go Day, we get your crab cakes, and you post on social media encouraging people to visit the National Zoo to welcome our iconic giant pandas.”
She also said that if the Ravens were to “squeak out a victory,” Scott would get a “a half-smoke,” which is a sandwich and gastronomic delicacy that apparently originated here and may be the city’s counterpart to Baltimore’s crab cakes.
She also said that “we’ll proclaim Baltimore Club Music Day, and we’ll post to encourage people to visit the Baltimore National Aquarium.”
The aquarium may be seen as the aquatic alternative to Washington’s zoo, where pandas are soon to arrive from China.
The Commanders play in a stadium in Prince George’s County, Md., but for many years called the District home. Bowser’s administration has been trying to bring the team back.
The rivalry between Baltimore and Washington was intensified this year because both teams have winning records and high expectations. In addition, they are in different NFL divisions and do not meet every year.
As for the game, it was duly played under sunny skies in Baltimore. Although Washington seemed competitive throughout, the Ravens won, 30 to 23.
