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Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is once again involved in a friendly Super Bowl wager, as his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs, prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Bishop Johnston has been leading the diocese since 2015 and has seen the Chiefs make significant strides under quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City will be making its fifth Super Bowl appearance overall and its third during Bishop Johnston's leadership. The Chiefs have previously won three titles, including the last two consecutive ones. A victory against the Eagles would mark their third straight win, an unprecedented achievement in NFL history.
Bishop Johnston acknowledges the role sports play in fostering community spirit. "While our faith is paramount as we journey through this life, sports and teams have a very important role in a community," he said to OSV News. He also noted how events like the Super Bowl bring people together across various divides.
In keeping with tradition, Bishop Johnston and Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia are participating in the "Bishops' Bet," which involves a $500 donation to each other's chosen charity based on the game's outcome. This friendly wager aims to highlight positive aspects of sports and strengthen ties between dioceses.
Last year, before Kansas City's overtime win over San Francisco 49ers, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco honored a similar bet with a donation and a shipment of Rice-A-Roni.
This year's stakes include culinary delights: if Kansas City wins, cheesesteaks from Philadelphia may head west; if Philadelphia wins, Kansas City barbecue could find its way eastward.
Reflecting on past experiences, Bishop Johnston recalls being a Tennessee Titans fan during their narrow loss to St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV back in 2000. Despite his support for both teams, he maintains loyalty to Kansas City unless they face off against Tennessee.
John Knebels reports for OSV News from Philadelphia.
