By Timothy Chipp
Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — There will need to be a third Police vs. Firefighters Rib Eating Contest to settle the score, thanks to a tie series after the firefighters avenged last year’s loss Saturday afternoon.
Benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network, four firefighters and city Councilman Steve Savage, pitted against four police officers and Councilman Kyle McAlister, ate plates of four ribs, a roll and a serving of apple sauce at Texas Roadhouse on South Danville Drive.
Everyone involved in the rematch from last year’s affair, an event that added to an ongoing friendly rivalry between the two groups, said they had a blast participating once the plates were clear and the pressure was off.
There will need to be a third Abilene Police Department vs. Abilene Fire Department Rib Eating Contest to settle the...
Posted by Abilene Reporter-News on Saturday, June 13, 2015
“I heard it was so much fun last year and I wanted to help out as best I could,” Mario Hernandez, firefighter/paramedic for Engine Six, said. “The adrenaline’s pumping, watching my teammates go, you could see everyone was nervous from how their hands were shaking. Luckily the guy before me downed everything so fast, I knew I could take my time and we’d still be in pretty good shape.”
Hernandez served as the final man for the firefighter team in the relay competition, locking up the win when he placed the last bit of food from his plate into his mouth. But the ringer for the team said he didn’t practice at all. Instead, he just showed up and ate.
Raising money for charity was the real prize of the event, the combatants said. A portion of the meals sold Saturday to those dining at the restaurant goes to support the Children’s Miracle Network, which supports 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, according to the charity’s website, www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.
Last year, the two organizations chose their own beneficiaries, but Jimmy Hall, president of the Abilene Firefighters Association, said the two organizations agreed this year to support CMN.
New to the competition this year were the two city councilmen, also battling it out for superiority. Hall said he was approached by Savage about the event, who suggested the City Council get involved to help bolster the teams.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Savage said, adding that he had a fun time eating his plate.
Amanda Adkins, store marketer for Texas Roadhouse, said the contest served as great fun for everyone involved.
“We’re always up for a challenge, especially if the Children’s Miracle Network wins in the end,” she said. “We’re looking forward to next year.”
Other competitors for the firefighters were Tucker Travis, Pete Beretta and Jesse Jennings, in addition to Hernandez and Savage. Joining McAlister on the police team were Joshua Ward, Roger Romero, Gabe Thompson and Michael Garcia.
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©2015 the Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas)