Gov. Walz Sneaks Hidden Message Into 'Wolves Back Day' Declaration

MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Walz has officially declared Wednesday to be "Wolves Back Day" in the state of Minnesota. His proclamation celebrates the Minnesota Timberwolves playing in the NBA Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.

Minnesota is one series away from playing in their first-ever NBA championship.

"At 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, all eyes will be North as the Timberwolves bring conference championship basketball back to Minnesota again," Walz said. "Sports have the power to bring people together, and Minnesota fans are excited to cheer on our beloved Timberwolves."

On first blush, the proclamation is fairly standard. Walz and the governors before him have issued all kinds of proclamations to celebrate sports teams and individual athletes in Minnesota.

But Walz snuck a hidden message into the proclamation. If you read the first letter of each statement — it spells out "Bring Ya Ass" — a reference to Sunday's viral moment between Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and Inside the NBA's Charles Barkley.

Moments after the Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets in Sunday's game seven, Barkley told Edwards in an interview that he hadn’t been to Minnesota in "probably 20 years."

Edwards — now famously — quickly responded, "Bring ya ass."

The phrase "bring ya ass" quickly became the unofficial motto of Minnesota, inspiring all kinds of locally-flavored memes and merchandise.

And http://BringYaAss.com now directs you to Minnesota’s official tourism website.

The Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals Wednesday at Target Center. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.

Read the governor's official proclamation below: