Ohio senators make friendly bet with Oregon counterparts

U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman hope to teach a pair of senators from Oregon a spelling lesson.

The pair of legislators have once again reached across the aisle — Brown being a Democrat and Portman a Republican — to agree to teach Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, two Democratic senators from Oregon, how to spell O-H-I-O if The Ohio State University Buckeyes win the national football championship Monday over the University of Oregon Ducks.

If OSU wins the national title, Brown and Portman will be joined by Wyden and Merkley to spell out “O-H-I-O” on the steps of the Capitol building.

If Oregon wins, Brown and Portman agreed to learn how to “throw the O” alongside the Oregon Duck mascot on the Capitol steps.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our Buckeyes bring home a national championship on Monday,” Portman said. “Whether you’re from Urban(a), Ohio, or a Buckeye on the Bay, Ohioans are ready for a championship.”

Then Portman added: “And I’ll be ready to show my friends from Oregon how to OH-IO!”

Brown, a proud OSU alum, said he looks “forward to watching the Buckeyes bring home the first ever college football playoff championship.”

“The waterfowl of Eugene will put up a strong and respectable effort but will ultimately migrate back to Oregon empty handed,” Brown said.

In a joint statement, Wyden and Merkley said they have “full confidence” Oregon will win.

About the Author