Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore, Maryland agreed to a friendly wager on the outcome of this weekend’s Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Baltimore Ravens at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans at 3:30pm Pacific. This is the sixth time the 49ers have played in the Super Bowl, and the first appearance since the 1994 season.

The winning mayor will host the mayor from the other team to take part in a day of service, in partnership with AmeriCorps participants, highlighting the important work of volunteerism and national service. In addition, the losing mayor will visit the local crab market, don the jersey of the winning team, and crack the region’s well known crustacean – Dungeness Crab in San Francisco or Blue Crab in Baltimore.

“The Niners don’t always go to the Super Bowl, but when they do, they win,” said Mayor Lee. “Behind the leadership of Coach Jim Harbaugh, the Red & Gold are going to finish the job against the Ravens, bringing home the City’s sixth Lombardi Trophy!”

“The Baltimore Ravens reached the Super Bowl this year with a combination of devastating defense and flawless offense,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Their victory on Sunday will further cement Baltimore’s legacy as a great football city, and serve as the perfect capstone to the Hall of Fame career of Ray Lewis.”

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that also operates Senior Corps and leads the President’s Call to Service. Each year, approximately 75,000 AmeriCorps members mentor youth, help communities recover from disasters, or revitalize parks and other public lands. Additionally, CNCS will be holding a Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, which is scheduled for April 9. Mayors Lee and Rawlings-Blake are signed up to participate in their respective cities. 

“Mayors are leaders who get things done, responding every day to needs in their cities,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “With this friendly wager, Mayors Lee and Rawlings-Blake highlight the impact and power of national service and volunteering.  No matter which team wins the game, both cities—and all football fans— can celebrate the Service Bowl.”

As the Ravens and Niners match up this weekend, Mayor Lee and the San Francisco 49ers join with Mayor Rawlings-Blake and the Baltimore Ravens to urge all fans to treat each other with respect. The Super Bowl is an exciting event, but that is no excuse for bad behavior. Both Mayors hope and expect that fans will cheer loudly, but supporting the home team should always be positive and peaceable. Wherever fans choose to watch the game, remember to be safe and practice good sportsmanship. In the end, the 49ers embody the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, and rivalries should remain on the football field.

The 49ers reached the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, January 19. The Ravens, who have made the playoffs every year under the leadership of Coach John Harbaugh, won their division and then beat the Colts, Broncos, and Patriots on their path to the Super Bowl. The Ravens and 49ers both appeared in their respective Conference Championship games last year, both falling short. The Ravens last appeared in the Super Bowl following the 2000 season, defeating the New York Giants to win the Lombardi Trophy.

On Wednesday, Mayor Lee declared “Red & Gold” Week in San Francisco, encouraging 49ers fans and local businesses to show their pride in the NFC Champion team this week by wearing Red & Gold or displaying signs, flags or any form of support for the hometown team. Mayor Lee is encouraging 49ers fans from across the Bay Area to frequent their neighborhood establishments to watch the Super Bowl game, and no matter what the outcome, to treat our City with dignity and respect.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake ordered City buildings to be bathed in purple light, and encouraged local businesses to do the same. As a result, for weeks the Baltimore skyline has been awash in purple, bringing warmth to cold winter nights. During the regular season and through the playoffs, Ravens fans celebrate “Purple Friday” by wearing Ravens themed clothing, shoes and hats.

Mayor Lee has raised the 49ers team flag off City Hall’s balcony since the beginning of the playoff season and ordered City Hall, Coit Tower, Ferry Building and the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and other buildings in the City lit in Red & Gold to reflect the City’s enthusiasm and passion for the San Francisco 49ers.