New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio put the word out, via an Instagram post of a phone video: I challenge President Obama to a game of one-on-one.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Mr. de Blasio is heard saying on the tape, after a train rider suggests the basketball face-off, the New York Post reported. “President Obama and I are almost the same age. He has more basketball skills and practices a lot more, but I have height.”
The video came to be after a subway train rider named Alvin Javier happened to come across Mr. de Blasio — who stands almost 6-foot, 6-inches — in the same car.
Mr. Javier sets the scene, via his own posted video, the New York Post reported: “So I get on the J train, I’m headed downtown. And guess who I happen to see here? My mayor. … I think he can beat Obama. This is his official challenge: Obama, my mayor is going to play you 1-on-1 at ball. Do you accept?”
Mr. de Blasio, in a second video, then makes his acceptance speech.
A spokesman for the mayor’s office confirmed the video, but said Mr. de Blasio was only joking.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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