Steelers vs. Packers: Mayors Face Off

Canonsburg Mayor David H. Rhome and police Chief R.T. Bell agree: It's tough to trash talk a team like the Green Bay Packers.

"These two teams are a lot alike," Rhome said Wednesday as the pair sat in his office to discuss one of the topics of the day: the Super Bowl. "We're mostly middle class, hard working, blue-collar people. All I'll say is it should be the Steelers 28-14."

Rhome, an avid Steelers fan, then said he'd put his money -- and maybe even his pride -- where his mouth is.

The mayor said he'd happily enter into a friendly wager of sorts with Mayor Dick Bolender of Oak Creek, a Cheesehead town outside Milwaukee.

When the Steelers win, Bolender has agreed to wear some Steelers gear to work Monday. He is also going to send a basket of local favorites to Rhome's office in the borough building.

In the unlikely event that the black and gold aren't victorious? Rhome said he'd man up and dress himself in some Packers finery the day after the big game.

But that notion didn't sit right with Bell, who shook his head vehemently and let his opinion be known (animatedly).

"Oh no, you can't do that! You can't wear that to work," the chief said. "That's embarrassing."

When Rhome reminded him that was kind of the point, Bell reconsidered.

"Oh, then he should have to wear a cheesehead hat, then," he said.

Then both men reiterated: They aren't expecting a loss.

Bolender, however, sees things differently. 

The long-time Wisconsin resident and Packers fan expects the Green and Gold to pull through Sunday, though he also anticipates a tight game. 

"The Packers will win, but it’s going to be close," said Bolender, who played college football at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Rhome said he expects his favorite player, strong safety Troy Polamalu, to come up big Sunday.

"If he's up to what he's usually about, he could be the deciding factor," he said. "But at the end of the day, whichever team makes the least mistakes is going to win."

And one thing can be guaranteed: There's no way either Rhome or Bell are missing the game.

Bell said he'll be watching the fray at a family gathering, and Rhome said that's his plan, too.

Rhome, who also co-owns Sam's Pizza Shop in the borough, said that while normal Sunday hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. -- that's going to change this week.

"We're going to be open from 3 to 7 p.m.," he said.

To which Bell shook his head in disbelief again.

"You're a die hard," he said. "You're gonna miss kickoff? Besides, anyone calling you for pizza between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. has something wrong with them."

But Rhome assured him he'd see the kickoff from the television set perched in the shop.

And he added that, all kidding aside, Mayor Bolender will receive a basket of local favorites -- including a Terrible Towel and some Sarris Chocolates.