North Wales mayor bets on Eagles with counterpart in Chiefs country

The Super Bowl Champion Eagles aren’t the only big winners this week.

North Wales can also go on the list of winners, thanks to a bet between Mayor Neil McDevitt and a counterpart in Chiefs country.

“I had the pleasure of setting up a bet with a similar-sized community in Missouri, called Riverside,” said McDevitt.

“Because we won, we will be getting barbecue, cinnamon rolls, and something called ‘Bootleg Bourbon Balls’ — I have no idea what that is,” he said.

In a series of Facebook posts ahead of the big game, McDevitt — sporting a kelly green E-L-G-L-E-S shirt in support of fellow Mayor Cherelle Parker — and Kathy Rose, Mayor of Riverside, Missouri — wearing Chiefs red and that team’s logo alongside Riverside’s ‘Upstream from Ordinary’ slogan — negotiated the deal: bagels from Everything Bagel Cafe on the borough’s Main Street, snacks from Soul Brothers Meats, and Tastykakes if the Chiefs prevailed, and a package of southern goodies from Riverside in exchange.

    Mayor Kathy Rose of Riverside, Missouri, and her ‘sidekick’ grandson Brooks, sport Chiefs red in a video agreeing to a bet with North Wales Borough on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Screenshot of video: City of Riverside, Missouri)
  

“Mayor Neil McDevitt of North Wales Borough, Pennsylvania, reached out earlier this week. They’re a community that’s a lot like ours: small town, tight-knit neighborhoods and fiercely loyal to their team. Unfortunately for them, their team is the Eagles, who we all know will be coming up short this weekend in New Orleans,” Rose said.

“He suggested a friendly wager, and in Riverside we go all in. Mayor, I know your team thinks they’ve got what it takes, but let’s be real: the Birds are going down, and the Chiefs are preparing for a parade, so I’ll take your wager. On the off chance that we don’t come out on top for the third year in a row, we’ve got a few local delicacies to send your way,” she said, before name-dropping Riverside’s Corner Cafe, Hawg Jaw Que & Brew and Bootleg Bourbon Balls chocolate shop.

    Mayor Kathy Rose of Riverside, Missouri, and her ‘sidekick’ grandson Brooks, pose in front of a Kansas City Chiefs yard art display in Riverside created by resident Jeff Parson. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Kathy Rose)
  

As McDevitt explained the bet to council on Tuesday night, borough Manager Christine Hart showed slides of Riverside’s website, depicting a snow-covered downtown with holiday decorations throughout.

“It has the same population as us, but I think they’re much more like a Montgomeryville — they have a lot of big box stores,” McDevitt said, and Hart added: “and they have great Christmas decorations.”

In a post after the game, Rose conceded the loss: “Congratulations to the Eagles! They truly dominated the game. Chiefs fans will lick our wounds but will never give up and look forward to our re-match! As promised we are gathering our prize booty and will be sending it for Mayor Neil McDevitt and his team to enjoy!Thank you for all the fun.”

This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.thereporteronline.com