Restaurateur Robert Thompson bets a grand that Denver will sink Seattle in the Super Bowl

On Sunday, Peyton Manning and the unstoppable offense of the Denver Broncos will battle for victory against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL team with the top-rated defense -- and, in case you didn't know, it's the largest gambling day of the year. Early lines favor the Broncos, and while Denver...

By Lori Midson

January 31, 2014

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On Sunday, Peyton Manning and the unstoppable offense of the Denver Broncos will battle for victory against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL team with the top-rated defense -- and, in case you didn't know, it's the largest gambling day of the year. Early lines favor the Broncos, and while Denver major Michael Hancock has promised Seattle mayor Ed Murray a "sampling of Denver's fabulous green chile" if Denver loses (gasp!), Robert Thompson, who owns Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar and Punch Bowl Social, is one-upping the mayor.

The friendly wager between Thompson and Alex Rosenast, the owner of Garage Billiards, a pool parlor and bowling alley in Seattle, is a cool $1,000. And because they both want to play nice, Thompson will grace Rosenast with a case of Orange Crush soda even if Denver bombs, and win or lose, Rosenast is hoping to set up a dinner with Thompson and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who momentarily lost his shit (and Stanford-educated decorum) when he hollered like a heroic lunatic after the Seahawks sunk the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. "We've been friends for a long time, and we both jumped at the chance to go head to head, city to city, all in great fun, and for a good cause," says Thompson, who will donate his earnings, as will Rosenast, to charity. "A charity will be selected by the winner, and regardless of who takes home the Lombardy trophy, everyone wins in the conclusion of this year's football season," insists Thompson.

Dude, if the Broncos lose on Sunday, Monday is gonna completely suck. Just sayin'.

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