The mayors of both Coquitlam and New Westminster are wearing their love for their hometown football teams on their sleeves.
Coquitlam's Richard Stewart and his New Westminster counterpart Wayne Wright, both former players, are temporarily stepping away from the political arena and back on to the gridiron to support their high school football teams.
Wright challenged Stewart to a friendly wager on the outcome of Friday's annual Hyacks Homecoming Game, when the New West varsity squad will square off against the Centennial Centaurs.
The mayor whose team loses the game has to wear the winner's jersey at their next council meeting.
Both mayors will be at Mercer Stadium cheering their squads on. They even agreed to model their football fashion in advance.
In fact, both seem reluctant to take their team colours off.
"Maybe we should suit up for the game in case they need a play brought in from the sidelines," said Stewart.
Taking things a step further, Stewart has rounded up Centaur jerseys for all of New Westminster's councillors. So Wright may have to wrangle up a few more Hyacks colours for Coquitlam.
"It's going to be wonderful seeing the black and orange at their meeting," said Wright.
The kickoff for the Sept. 13 homecoming game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Mercer Stadium, with a pre-game and post-game celebration that will feature fireworks both on and off the field, skydivers, a prize car and a pre-game flag football challenge for alumni.
