Sen. John McCain stood on the Senate floor a beaten men Monday, and had a Carolina blue tie on to prove it.
McCain, R-Ariz., wore the tie and effusively sang the praises of the Carolina Panthers for defeating his Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League’s NFC championship game to earn a slot in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
The Arizona senator’s wardrobe and words squared a bet he made with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., that the Cardinals would top the Panthers.
“The terms of that friendly wager is that the loser would deliver a congratulatory speech on the Senate floor; wish the winner luck in the Super Bowl,” McCain said. “Unfortunately, even tragically, this is what brings me before you today. It’s also why I’m wearing this unsightly blue tie, which I’m sure is an assault on the senses of C-SPAN viewers all over the world.”
McCain said he had no doubt that “we’ll see the Panthers’ explosive offense continue in Super Bowl 50” against the Denver Broncos the way it crushed the Cardinals 49-15 on Jan. 24 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.
He congratulated Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton for the team’s 15-1 regular season and playoff thumping of the Cardinals. He also gave kudos to Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for leading the team to a 13-3 regular-season record.
“Sen. Tillis, you may have gotten the best of me this year, but I have the feeling this is not the last time that one of us will stand before the body to offer out congratulations,” McCain said. “You’d be wise to get a head start and purchase a Cardinal red and white tie now, because you will be standing in my shoes this time next year, I guarantee it.”
William Douglas: 202-383-6026, @williamgdouglas
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