Fulfilling a wager made last month, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., congratulated the Carolina Panthers on the Senate floor on Monday for winning the NFC Championship over his home state Arizona Cardinals the week before.  

“Unfortunately, even tragically, this is what brings me before you today,” McCain started his speech, explaining the wager. “It’s also why I’m wearing this unsightly (Panther) blue tie, which I’m sure is an assault on the senses of C-SPAN viewers all over the world.”  

In a bet made with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., the senator of the losing team had to make a “humbling” floor speech about the game. The Cardinals were humbled by the Panthers, 49-15. The Panthers play the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.  

McCain congratulated the Cardinals on their season and gave “legendary” wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and other players shoutouts.  

“I’m confident that Arizona will continue to see exciting Super Bowl caliber performances in the season to come,” McCain said. He listed the players representing the Cardinals’ in the Pro Bowl this year, but mangled safety Tyrann Mathieu’s nickname, calling him “the Honey Bear” instead of Honey Badger as he’s better known.  

“Senator Tillis, you may have gotten the best of me this year, but I have a good feeling this is not the last time that one of us will stand before the body to offer our congratulations,” McCain said. “You would be wise to get a head start and purchase a Cardinal red  and white tie because you’ll be standing in my shoes this time next year, I guarantee it.”

Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.