Linehan Comes Clean After Losing Super Bowl Bet

John Linehan has always admired the eagles. As the president and CEO of Zoo New England he loves our national symbol, and that includes the two bald eagles on exhibit at Stone Zoo. But when the New England Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Linehan lost a bet and was forced to do something he had hoped to avoid.

Zoo New England partnered with the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI and Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT to challenge the Philadelphia Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo, and Lehigh Valley Zoo, all in the Philadelphia area, to a fun and friendly wager. The three directors of the losing zoos had to clean an animal exhibit while wearing the winning team’s jersey. The three losing zoos would also donate $1,000 each to the winning zoos’ conservation work or youth-focused program of choice.

Final score, Eagles 41, Patriots 33.

To make good on the bet, Linehan donned an Eagles jersey Monday while cleaning out the bald eagle exhibit at Stone Zoo. Zoo New England also donated $1,000 to Philadelphia Zoo’s ZooCREW.

The eagles kept a close eye on Linehan as he did his work. Smart birds. Wonder if they know why Malcom Butler didn't play.

Photo courtesy Zoo New England