Radford mayor dons Cougars jersey after friendly wager with Pulaski County

Radford Mayor Bruce Brown wears a Pulaski County Cougars football jersey during a Radford city council meeting Monday night. Photo courtesy of Melissa Skelton.

Radford Mayor Bruce Brown said he painfully donned a burgundy-and-gold Pulaski County Cougars football jersey Monday night at the city council meeting.

It wasn’t by choice, but Brown kept his end of a “friendly wager,” which he lost when the Radford Bobcats dropped their season opener 41-9 to the Cougars on Aug. 24.

It began in 2010 when an annual “friendly wager” was created by Brown and Pulaski County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe Sheffey based on the result of the game.
Brown and Sheffey decided the loser of the challenge would have to wear the opponent’s team jersey at the next board of supervisors or city council meeting.

The Cougars won the battle in 2009, followed by close Radford wins in 2010 and 2011.
That means Sheffey had to wear a Bobcats jersey two years in a row at a Pulaski County Board of Supervisors meeting.

However, this season, two communities came together to witness the fourth “Battle of the Bridge” in Dublin and the Cougars bringing the trophy back to Dublin.

“It feels really good not having to wear that Bobcat jersey,” Sheffey said. “I’ve always told [Brown] he would look good in burgundy and gold.”

Sheffey said he was proud of the way the Cougars played, but was even more proud of the team’s evident camaraderie. Several Pulaski County players were injured during the game, but they remained on the sidelines to cheer on their teammates, Sheffey said.

“It’s a great opportunity for both Pulaski and Radford to come together for a sporting event,” Sheffey said. “It was a total team effort and a great win in a great atmosphere.”

Brown estimated about 6,000 community members attended the game.

“We have a lot of fun with it, and many in our communities pay attention to who has to pay off,” Brown said. “Can’t say I was happy to wear the Cougar colors, but you have to pay the piper sometimes, and this was mine.”

Even though Brown had to represent the Cougars for a few hours one evening, he said he’s still proud of the Bobcats.

“They fought hard and played with enthusiasm,” Brown said. “They just wore down toward the end of the game.”

Both schools, Brown said, have a great coaching staff, and a staff that teaches more than just offense and defense. They teach teamwork, integrity and sportsmanship, Brown added.

Brown said he’s ready for next season but wanted the Cougars to know they should “just wait until basketball season.”

“We always look forward to competing with our Pulaski County friends in all of the major sports,” Brown said.

“Bobcats don’t back down from no one.”

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