From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-
Pittsburgh sports and religion intersected yesterday at the Episcopal Church's General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., when Bishop Robert Johnson of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh collected on friendly Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wagers.
Bishop Kirk Smith of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona donned Steelers gear and Bishop Wendell Gibbs of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan put on Penguins attire, fulfilling a wager made with Bishop Johnson earlier this year. The two bishops also received team towels, either a Steelers "Terrible Towel" marking the team's sixth Super Bowl win, or the white rally towel waved by Penguins fans during their run to a third Stanley Cup championship.
The original Super Bowl bet called for Bishop Smith, win or lose, to donate $100 to a cause of Bishop Johnson's choosing in Pittsburgh. However at today's presentation, Bishop Johnson turned that check, along with a matching amount, over to Bishop Gibbs of Michigan.
"Because the people of Detroit are suffering far worse in this economy, we thought that would be a much better use of Bishop Smith's money, and we're happy to help as well," said Bishop Johnson. The gift to the Bishop of Michigan was unexpected, since there was no financial wager in the Stanley Cup bet.
Many Pittsburghers have been praising Bishop Johnson for his winning ways within the diocese--and with local sports teams--since he assumed his post in January.
"It hasn't been lost on us that since he joined us, the Steelers won the Super Bowl and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup," the Rev. Dr. James Simons, president of the diocesan standing committee, remarked during a panel marking the opening of the General Convention.
Rev. Simons, an avid baseball fan, continued, "If he could only do something for the Pirates."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09192/983365-100.stm
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