ESPN’s Keyshawn Johnson makes good on bet with Burns & Gambo

The Arizona Cardinals’ 33-26 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday carried great significance for a number of reasons.

First, the team’s win meant Kliff Kingsbury’s team would finish with no worse than a .500 record this season.

Secondly, and possibly more importantly, it meant that ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson had to make good on his bet with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo, as the latter pointed out on Twitter.

This was all in good fun and for a great cause – although I am sad as I just found out @keyshawn has the next 3 weeks OFF! Sending my charities to him in 20 minutes and I do appreciate him being a good sport through most of this 😂😂😂 https://t.co/Gw3Z5DkBRt

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) December 21, 2020

And there it is @KeyJayandZ – your boy @keyshawn has officially lost his big bet as the Cardinals won their 8th game today – something he said would not happen. In an hour I will tweet my two worthwhile charities of which he will donate $250 each plus he will owe @Burnsy987 $250

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) December 21, 2020

The origins of the bet date back to late September, when a fast-charging Cardinals club beat San Francisco and Washington to start the year.

Johnson said back then on his ESPN radio program, Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin, that the Cardinals were, at best, a 6-or-7-win team, and that their offense wouldn’t work long-term in the NFL.

“I like the fact that their offense is high octane, explosive, but when you look at the time of possession on this team, it certainly makes me scratch my head,” Johnson said in September.

“I like Kyler Murray within this system … long-term I don’t think the Arizona Cardinals are made for the NFL to make a run.”

That led to Gambadoro’s wager:

How about $500 for 7 plus wins and $1000 if you win the division? How about that Gambo?

— Keyshawn Johnson (@keyshawn) September 22, 2020

Now, thanks to the Cardinals latest victory, Johnson will shell out $250 each to Save the Family Foundation and Whale & Dolphin Conservation. Additionally, Johnson will pony up $250 for Burns’ choice.

That amount could reach $1,000 if the Cardinals win the NFC West title, which could happen if the Seattle Seahawks lose their final two games and Arizona defeats the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams to close out the regular season.

For now, Johnson can sleep soundly knowing he’s making charitable donations during the season of giving.

Follow @cgboan