Gov picks Broncos

Gov. Pat McCrory says he'll be cheering for the Denver Broncos in Sunday's Super Bowl match-up against the Seattle Seahawks.

Asked by a reporter Tuesday, McCrory explained that he and Broncos head coach John Fox are personal friends.

Fox was head coach of the Carolina Panthers from 2002 to 2010, overlapping McCrory's tenure as Charlotte's mayor. Fox still lives in Charlotte. 

McCrory said he called Fox when the coach experienced heart trouble on a North Carolina golf course last November and subsequently underwent heart surgery.

"We're very close," the governor said. 

Spokesman Ryan Tronovitch said McCrory will host a Super Bowl party Sunday at the Executive Mansion for cabinet officials, advisers and friends.