With the Chiefs set to play the AFC championship game on Sunday, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley followed tradition by betting a colleague at a Kansas City barbecue that his team would win.
But, as some were quick to point out, the barbecue he chose comes from the Kansas side of the state line.
The bet was offered on Twitter before the Chiefs’ playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hawley made the offer to Ohio Senator JD Vance.
“Friendly bet?” Hawley tweeted. “I’ll bet some Joe’s KC brisket that the Chiefs win.”
Vance point backsaying he would offer Hawley ribs from Montgomery Inn, a Cincinnati-based chain, if the Chiefs won.
Chiefs fans soon noticed what they considered Hawley’s blunder.
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, the restaurant Hawley mentioned, is based in Kansas, with locations in KCK, Olathe and Leawood. The restaurant is located approximately 13 miles from Arrowhead Stadium, but does not have any Missouri locations.
Stephen Webber, Missouri AFL-CIO policy director, took the discrepancy.
“Senior Senator from Missouri who lives in Virginia bets on Kansas BBQ if you wonder how familiar he is with our state,” Webber tweeted.
“I understand that’s just a silly bet,” Webber continued, “but a statewide leader who actually knows and cares about Missouri would know better.”
