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Freshman Congressmen Chided Over ‘Rookie’ Football Bet

Reps. Gottheimer and Gallagher bet on first round of NFL playoffs

Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher has his money on the Packers. (Thomas McKinless/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher has his money on the Packers. (Thomas McKinless/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Newly sworn in New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer and Wisconsin Republican Mike Gallagher are catching flak about their bet on the Green Bay Packers-New York Giants NFL playoff game.

“It’s a rookie move to bet on a wild card game. Veterans know to have confidence in their team to make the Super Bowl,” an unnamed Capitol staffer said after hearing about the freshmen’s bet.

Typically, such bets are made on championship games or series like the Super Bowl, World SeriesStanley Cup, and the NBA Finals, as well as college championship games.

The Giants play the Packers in the NFL Wild Card Round game on Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Gallagher is wagering Wisconsin-made cheese curds and Gottheimer is betting bagels and cream cheese, Green Bay’s NBC affiliate reported on Thursday.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, a Wisconsinite, has not returned a request for comment on the bet.

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