Michael O’Donnell wears hat of defeat at commission meeting

Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell was forced to wear the hat of defeat Wednesday after losing a high school football bet with a colleague.

“I had hoped for a different outcome,” O’Donnell said. “But I’m happy to honor the losing end of this bet with Commissioner Dennis.”

Last week, Commissioner David Dennis had challenged O’Donnell to a friendly wager on the high school playoff game between Wichita Northwest – which is in Dennis’ district – and Haysville Campus, in O’Donnell’s district.

Northwest, the heavy favorite, scored 50 first-half points while coasting to a 57-24 win.

The bet was that the loser would have to buy a snap-back cap from the winning team’s booster club and then wear it at Wednesday’s meeting.

O’Donnell, known for his immaculate attire and coiffure at public meetings, took the bet, although he acknowledged at the time he’s not a hat person.

He said he didn’t attend the game, but followed it on Twitter.

“Also, Commissioner Dennis sent me quite a few texts about it,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said it’s not the end of it and he’ll issue some challenges of his own in coming months.

“I look forward to doing something similar in basketball season,” he said.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Michael O’Donnell wears hat of defeat at commission meeting."