Hamilton County’s state senators will battle it on the gridiron at this year’s University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) homecoming game. Senator Todd Gardenhire and Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson will participate in a punt, pass and chip showdown during Saturday’s halftime of the UTC v. Western Carolina game at Finley Stadium.
The loser will make a donation to UTC’s Mocs Club.
The lawmakers have bantered back forth on social media this week in anticipation of the competition.
“I’m trying my best to keep up with Bo Watson,” said Senator Gardenhire. “He can throw the ‘pumpkin’ twice as far as I can. At the game Saturday, I'm going to check the pressure in his football. I don't want a BoFlate on my hands. It's bad enough that he is taking so much advantage of our age difference. You realize I was graduating from high school when he was starting first grade.”
“So here is the problem, Todd Gardenhire is quoting from an Andy Griffith routine from 1953,” quipped Sen. Watson. “That's 1-9-5-3...over 60 years ago!! This isn't even going to be fair on Saturday. Just phone it in, Todd.”
Both Senator Gardenhire (class of 1972) and Senator Watson (class of 1983) are UTC alumni. The game will start at 2 p.m..
To view a video promoting the event go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdxGgkMGJfE&feature=youtu.be