There was plenty of banter back and forth from both players and fans ahead of the AFC title game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs.
Then things went a little overboard when Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval entered the fray.
In a viral post gone wrong, the mayor threw out the nickname “Burrowhead,” among other questionable things while talking about the rivalry with the Chiefs and the upcoming game.
It didn’t take long for Pureval to apologize once the response was overwhelmingly sour from the state of Ohio and beyond.
Here’s a look at the two messages and the reaction that followed.
The original post and apology
Bengals nation, Lol. I hear you. My competitive juices and love for cincy got the best of me. My bad. Staying hungry and humble. See you Sunday. Who Dey baby!
— Aftab Pureval (@AftabPureval) January 28, 2023
The reaction
Can we collectively agree that the Mayor of Cincinnati calling it “Burrowhead” has pretty much ruined the joke?
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 27, 2023
At least we can blame the Mayor of Cincinnati if things go sideways this Sunday.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 27, 2023
Cincinnati mayor said officials asked Joe Burrow to take a paternity test to confirm he is Mahomes' father 😂😅
Burrow is 3-0 against the Chiefs
(via @AftabPureval)pic.twitter.com/w4ncnvGVZh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 27, 2023
All of Cincinnati seeing the mayor’s video pic.twitter.com/Y8KdNxQHTM
— Bengals Ben 🐅 (@bengalsben513) January 27, 2023
I can assure you nobody in Ohio likes that Cincinnati mayor video.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) January 27, 2023
I didn’t even know this guy was the mayor of Cincinnati before today but if the Bengals lose we can collectively blame him which is nice
— Bengals Graphics (@BengalsGraphic5) January 27, 2023
If the Bengals lose Cincinnati should impeach their mayor
— The Sportsdudeheinz Show (@SdudeHeinzShow) January 27, 2023
The Cincinnati Mayor is trying his best to take the crown from Jackson Mahomes I see…
— Braxton Wheeler (@Braxxx26) January 27, 2023
I thought Mallory’s first pitch would be the most embarrassing thing a Cincinnati mayor could do for a sporting event. https://t.co/SjwBRL7c9k
— Pete (@PeteXU) January 28, 2023
The Cincinnati Mayor video is dumb (and super cringeworthy), but do people really think the Chiefs are going to try harder to win the AFC title game now because of it?
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) January 27, 2023
Cincinnati mayor ready to fire as many unfunny jokes as it takes to end a political career
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) January 27, 2023
Usually Cincinnati politicians make national headlines for taking bribes and going on trial, so I think we’re making progress!
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) January 28, 2023
…….. don’t like.
Damnit @AftabPureval 🤦🏽♂️🤣 https://t.co/WA49G5djGM
— Bengal Jim’s BTR (@bengaljims_BTR) January 27, 2023
Agreed. No need to respond.
KC’s got class. Cincinnati has Jerry Springer and no rings.
See them Sunday. https://t.co/Pa2vm8VPJ3
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) January 27, 2023
