Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Lisa Skelley, right, reacts to a Bears touchdown while her husband Dean, a Colts fan, stands quietly. With both of their teams in the Super Bowl, the couple threw a party so their friends and family could watch their feud as the game progressed.
Dean Skelley was under attack Sunday afternoon. Vastly outnumbered in his own home, Skelley didn't back down, proudly donning his Colts attire for the Super Bowl.
His wife Lisa had an outfit of her own, complete with orange beads and jersey sporting number 54, Brian Urlacher - the star linebacker for the Bears.
Outside their home in Carson City, Dean's truck covered with Colts decals sits next to Lisa's SUV littered with Bears decals.
When the season began, the couple never imagined that not one, but both of their teams would end up in the Super Bowl playing each other.
"It never crossed my mind that it would come to this. This is a once in a lifetime experience for us," Dean said.
The couple said that since they found out about the match-up, there has been an uneasy truce that started to crumble as game day approached.
"It really started getting bad (Saturday) night at karaoke, we were changing the words in the songs to poke fun at each other," Lisa said.
Before the game began, each predicted their team would win, Dean claiming a Colts victory by three, Lisa calling for a Bears win by seven.
"My husband winning this game, even by a point, that would be the absolute worst thing that could happen today," Lisa said.
Despite a lot of trash talk, the couple decided against any kind of wager on the game.
"We thought about it, but the gloating will be bad enough; there's no need for anything else," Lisa said.
The couple was surrounded by about two dozen friends and relatives munching on deep-fried turkey, sloppy Joe's made with Coke, homemade chili and various snacks. The Skelleys even bought a new big-screen television to watch the game.
"They can do whatever they want, cheer for whoever they want. We don't have a lot of rules, just don't throw things at the TV," Lisa said.
The couple has five children, but only one of them chose to take sides on Sunday.
"I did it just because it's my mom's team and I wanted to go head-to-head with my stepdad," said daughter Jennifer Smith, 19.
The extended family even got involved.
"This is the best game in the world, even if my team isn't playing, because both my aunt and uncle's teams are in," said Ashley Matha, the couple's niece. "I Bear-ified my uncle's truck, I just had to."
It took just over a minute after the national anthem was finished before the insults started.
With the Bears taking an early lead, Dean was immediately under attack.
"Hey Dean, who's winning," asked friend Robert Briggs.
"The other team," Dean responded.
The game provided no shortage of moments to gloat for both sides, including a fumble by Bears quarterback Rex Grossman in the second quarter.
"Oh, golly gee whiz, they fumbled again," Dean said smiling.
As the game wore on, the talking died down as both sides settled to watch how this two-week feud would end.
"It won't be bad, but when it's over, there's going be a look shared across the room," Dean said. "I've already got my song picked out for when I win: 'Kiss This.'"
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
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