Fun Stories and Novelty Bets Leading Up to the Big Game

Many around the world are counting the hours until kickoff for Super Bowl LX on Sunday. The two teams also met at the 2014 Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. However, this time, the Seattle Seahawks are favored to win by the Las Vegas odds-makers and a menagerie of animals.

In case you've missed some of the excitement leading up to the big game, let's take a look at all the fun!

ANIMAL PREDICTIONS

While the annual wager between zoos in the two teams' hometown cities is not happening this year, a number of zoos are hosting animal prediction events. At San Antonio Zoo (Texas), Guacamole the rescued sea turtle predicted a Seahawks victory by swimming toward a themed lettuce snack. At Gulf Breeze Zoo (Florida), Kenya the giraffe chose the Seattle Seahawks at the "Third Annual Kenya Day" on February 2nd. Kenya has established a reputation for the annual, fun predictions at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, often acting as a Gulf Coast alternative to Punxsutawney Phil. At the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo (New Jersey), Lady Edwina of Essex, a groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing her shadow and also forecasted that the Seattle Seahawks would win the upcoming Super Bowl. At Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines, Iowa), Zarina the African lion predicted the Seahawks; at the Brookfied Zoo (Chicago), Charlotte the tarantula predicted the Seahawks; and at the Nashville Zoo (Tennessee), Wilbur the binturong (also known as a bearcat) selected the Seahawks by approaching a miniature Seahawks helmet covering a piece of banana. And at Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma, Washington), Forrest, a Eurasian eagle owl, has been promoted to "Superb Owl" ahead of the Super Bowl.

At El Paso Zoo (Texas), Hodari the lion, will charge toward one of two helmet-shaped piñatas on February 7th; and at the Capron Park Zoo (Attttleboro, Massachusetts), Lacey the leopard will make her fourth annual Super Bowl prediction also on February 7th. According to Capron Park Zoo, "Visitors wearing Patriot gear will receive a 20 percent discount on admission. Trust the paws. Trust the process." 

ART MUSEUM NEWS

While the annual "Museum Bowl," where museums in the two teams' hometown cities make wagers to share a famous piece of art or place the winning jersey on a famous sculpture, will not happen this year, there is some excitement at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA). From January 29th through February 8th, visitors to SFMoMA will be able to enjoy a photo opportunity with the official Super Bowl LX Roman Numerals, on view for free in SFMOMA’s Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Atrium. Museum admission is not required for photos.

MAYOR WAGERS

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson told KIRO Newsradio that she and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu discussed possible wagers while attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., "There’s been some talk of Dungeness crab and lobster. Also, some talk about wearing each other’s jerseys while riding public transit. So, something is going to happen, but we haven't decided exactly what yet."

LAW ENFORCEMENT WAGERS

The Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad placed a bet with the Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. The losing chief must wear the winning team's gear and publicly announce on social media that the opponent is the best team in football. Chief Assad has authorized Rochester officers to wear Patriots hats while on duty leading up to the game.

BISHOP'S BET

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle and Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston have engaged in the "Super Bowl Bishop's Bet." This friendly wager involves a donation from the losing archbishop's diocese to the winner's chosen charity. This annual tradition highlights community, charity, and friendly competition.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS

Seattle Children's Hospital has challenged Boston Children's Hospital to a friendly wager. Both institutions are engaging in social media banter with Seattle referencing a focus on the future and Boston highlighting their own team pride.

RESTAURANT WAGERS

Seattle's Duke's Seafood (Dungeness crab) and Cambridge/Uncasville's Summer Shack (clambake) have a cross-country wager, with the loser shipping signature seafood to the winner.

Here are some fun bets that folks can make:

* Which Bay Area landmark will be shown first? (Golden Gate Bridge is favored over Alcatraz Island)

* Will the coin toss be heads or tails?

* Which team will score first?

* Who will have the most passing yards?

* Who will have the most rushing yards?

* Who will have the most receiving yards?

* What color will the liquid poured on the winning head coach be?

* Will the combined total points for the game be over or under 46.5?

* Will an unauthoized person (streaker) enter the field of play?

* Which song will be sung first by the crowd? ("Sweet Caroline" is even with "Country Roads")

* Who will be the winning team of the annual Puppy Bowl?

Only three days to go until kick-off, and hopefully, memorable ads!

Image Credit: National Football League (NFL).