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N.J. Gov. Chris Christie Will Attend Cowboys-Packers Game At Lambeau Field

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — You didn't think he would stay away, did you?

Gov. Chris Christie will be attending this weekend's Dallas Cowboys game in Wisconsin — and paying for it on his own dime.

A spokesman for the potential presidential contender confirmed the governor will attend this weekend's playoff game between his beloved Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

"Not wanting to risk breaking the team's 5-0 streak by messing with karma, Governor Christie, his orange sweater and his son Andrew will all travel to Lambeau Field this weekend to attend the game against the Green Bay Packers," spokesman Michael Drewniak said in a statement.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has referred to Christie as his team's "mojo" because the team has won the last five games Christie has attended wearing his good luck sweater.

Christie's lifelong Cowboys fandom has sparked outrage from Eagles, Jets and Giants fans in New Jersey furious about his allegiances, along with ethical question after Christie's office disclosed that Jones had been paying for Christie's box seats along with private jet flights.

The Cowboys co-own a company that has a contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which Christie controls along with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The office has said the two became friends after that.

The governor's office has insisted the gifts are permitted under the state's ethics rule because of an executive order that permits Christie to receive gifts from personal friends. But Drewniak said Christie will pay out of his own pocket this time.

"The Governor will be paying for travel and tickets for himself, his sweater and his son to make sure we keep silliness out of the football season," he said.

Christie and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a potential 2016 rival, have been trading barbs on social media about the game.

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(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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