Tailgatin' with Mayor Mark

Mayor Mallory to Pay Debt to the city of Pittsburgh

Urges Bengals Fans everywhere to join him on trip to support the team

Cincinnati – Mayor Mark Mallory is heading to Pittsburgh this weekend to fulfill his playoff challenge with the late Mayor of Pittsburgh, Bob O’Connor. On Saturday, Mayor Mallory is leading a delegation of Cincinnati City Officials to Pittsburgh to meet the new Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other Pittsburgh officials. The Mayor is encouraging Bengals fans everywhere to follow him to Pittsburgh and pack the tailgating areas around the stadium to support the Bengals.

“This year, we are the team to beat, and we are going to show that fact to Pittsburgh this weekend. We need to show up in full force to show them we mean business,” Mayor Mallory said. “We are leaving Saturday morning at 9:00. I am calling on everyone who can to join us at Paul Brown Stadium and caravan to Pittsburgh to support the Bengals.”

Last January when the Bengals met the Steelers in the playoffs, Mayor Mallory issued a challenge to the Mayor of Pittsburgh: the loser of the game would have to travel to the winning city be toured around by the opposing Mayor. Mallory was confident that he would be hosting Mayor O’Connor. But, early in the game, Carson Palmer injured his knee and the Steelers snuck out of Cincinnati with a win that would propel them to a Super Bowl Victory.

Sunday will be the first meeting of the two teams since the playoffs. Mallory is eager to settle the bet and show Pittsburgh that the Bengals are back and better than ever.

In addition to going to the game, the Mayor will be leading a team of Cincinnati City Officials to Pittsburgh on diplomatic exchange trip. The Mayor and city officials will meet with their counterparts in Pittsburgh to share information and learn new ideas and strategies. The delegation includes Assistant City Manager Deborah Holston, Fire Chief Robert Wright, and Assistant Police Chief Michael Cureton. The Mayor of Pittsburgh is going to take Mayor Mallory and the Cincinnati delegation on a tour of Pittsburgh.

Sadly, Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor passed away on September 1 after a short battle with a rare form of brain cancer. The new Mayor, Luke Ravenstahl is dedicated to honoring his mentor, Bob O’Connor’s legacy.

“Mayor O’Connor was truly proud of Pittsburgh and his beloved Steelers. He understood how to have fun and promote his city at the same time,” Mayor Mallory said. “I am honored to be able to pay tribute to his life by going to Pittsburgh and fulfilling our wager. I know he was looking forward to showing me around his city.”

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