One of the crappier traditions in American sports is for mayors of opposing cities to make friendly wagers that support famous local commerce.  But there’s simply too much animosity between the Steelers and Ravens to accomplish such a feat.  In fact, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl is dropping the “Raven” from his surname and changing it to “Steelerstahl” in anticipation of this weekend’s AFC Championship Game.  Pointless and idiotic, you say?  Well, how else is he gonna get re-elected?

On Wednesday morning, the mayor began, but did not complete, an official name change petition, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Civil court staff gave the petition a docket number but said they did not expect to file it, in part because they did not receive the required check for $108 to process the change, the newspaper reported.

In other words, it was a half-assed attempt at an empty gesture.  And Pittsburgh loves him for it!

Ravenstahl said he did not come up with the idea… That honor, he said, belonged to callers to a local radio station’s morning show… “As soon as I heard it, I thought it was a great idea.”

Oh yes, people who call in to morning radio shows are known to have all sorts of great ideas.  Why, Franklin Roosevelt only implemented the New Deal after someone suggested it to Scooter and the Zoo Crew on Wacky 101.  Scooter’s slide whistle and fart noises are what sold the President on it.