HOUSTON – As the Houston Texans gear up for their wild card showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the stakes are rising beyond playoff bragging rights and into the realm of county pride.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has entered a friendly wager with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, tying local leadership pride to the outcome of Monday’s AFC matchup.
“I’ve got a little bit more riding on it,” Hidalgo said. “I’ve made friends with County Executive Sarah Innamorato of Allegheny County, and I decided to challenge her to a bet. This is a competition across teams, across counties and it’s personal for me.”
If the Texans pull off a win, Innamorato will have to wear Texans gear during an entire session of her county’s governing body meeting and send Houston a basket of Steelers merchandise including what Hidalgo jokingly described as “yinz” merch, a regional twist on Pittsburgh slang.
“I learned that up there instead of saying ‘y’all,’ they say ‘yinz,’” Hidalgo said with a laugh. “And so apparently, if and when we win, I will receive a basket of ‘yinz’ ‘merch.”
But if the Steelers come out on top, Hidalgo will have to don Steelers gear at the next Harris County Commissioners Court meeting and send Pittsburgh some Houston swag, including a coveted NASA jacket.
The wager also includes a fashion penalty for the loser: wearing the opposing team’s merchandise for an entire governing body meeting.
Despite the playful stakes, Hidalgo says her confidence in the Texans is serious.
“We’re doing so great,” she said. “I think we can do it, and I think we can go even farther. We’ve got so many great players. We’ve got the best defense, and I think we can take on their quarterback. We’re right there.”
With county pride, personal bragging rights, and a NASA jacket on the line, Hidalgo made her prediction clear.
“I am betting that the Texans are going to win,” she said. “I know we can. Go Texans!”
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