What's a "reasonable" reason to miss watching the game?

Submitted by StephenRKass on

I've been dismissive of those who are missing the game because of weddings or birthday parties or anniversary get togethers.

But I myself am a (partial) casualty. My son's football game starts 1/2 hour before kickoff. At least he's only in 4th grade, meaning the game should be about 90 minutes, and we'll be back in time to catch most of the 2nd half.

Regardless, you can't miss your son's game.

What do you consider a worthy reason to miss the game?

Viper

October 8th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^

Spent the second half of last season in the hospital (a total of 5-1/2 months) and they didn't have ESPN or the Big Ten Network.

Missed several games as a result.

However, I was forced to go to the ER on a Sat afternoon but refused to go until after the game against Sparty.

True story.

bouje

October 8th, 2010 at 7:37 AM ^

But weddings are a once in a lifetime (hopefully) uniting of 2 people and if they are friends/ loved ones are important to go to.
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<br>How many sporting events will your kid have in his lifetime? Couple hundred at least?
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<br>When I have kids I'll never miss my kids game but I'd hope he'd say "I want to miss it I want to watch Michigan"

jblaze

October 8th, 2010 at 7:50 AM ^

I wouldn't miss my kid's game, but in no way is a 4th grade pop football game equal to a wedding.

I'm actually going to a wedding, but luckily the wedding is before and reception after the game, so it's all good (well, I"ll be 30-45 minutes late, but no biggie).

tk47

October 8th, 2010 at 8:08 AM ^

Weddings are no excuse.  Get new friends/family members who aren't retarded.  I have no desire to associate with anybody who would be so oblivious to the rest of the world that they would schedule their wedding in the fall without even considering the date of this game.

I suppose people from other parts of the country get a pass, but anybody who has attended UM or MSU, or spent a decent portion of their life in Michigan, would have to be a fucking moron to have their wedding on the same day as this game.  Schedules come out years ahead of time -- they can look the date up.  And if they actually get irritated by people caring more about the game than their wedding, then they're that much more idiotic.

/rant

Your kid's football game though ... well, that I can understand.

ILL_Legel

October 8th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^

My sister got married (and I was in the wedding) during one of the Fab 5 NCAA tournament games.  Luckily it was an early round game but most of my family was pissed!  I think we recorded the game but I was too hammered to remember.  I'm pissed just thinking back to it.

Blue2000

October 8th, 2010 at 9:57 AM ^

But weddings are a once in a lifetime (hopefully) uniting of 2 people and if they are friends/ loved ones are important to go to.

 

Eh, I've been to enough weddings now to say that unless you're part of the bridal party, you can skip the actual ceremony.  The couple won't even notice.  You just gotta be at the reception.  Because that's where the open bar is.

The kid's football game though?  Way more important.  No matter how many of them there are.  Can't miss 'em.

sum1valiant

October 8th, 2010 at 10:25 AM ^

When I have kids I'll never miss my kids game but I'd hope he'd say "I want to miss it I want to watch Michigan"

I think I'd prefer my kid stick to his commitment to The Team, The Team, The Team. Granted the wife would be taking him to his game this day, but allowing him to skip out on his game wouldn't be instilling the values of a true Michigan Man.

kielpedia

October 8th, 2010 at 7:37 AM ^

Last week I was helping my gf move into her place for an internship is about to start in Disney World (Orlando).   Needless to say I was drug into the universal studios theme park for most of the day on Saturday.

 Thanks to the wonders of modern technology though I was able to keep up to date on the game with my ESPN Scorecenter app on my android phone.

 Just to give some context, I live in Cincinnati so I obviously couldnt run home to watch.

readyourguard

October 8th, 2010 at 7:51 AM ^

I coach high school football (JV head coach, assist on the varsity).

Varsity game starts at 1pm tomorrow....no problem.  But MY game starts at 6.  Big problem.  I've instructed the PA guy (a friend of mine) to pipe the game into the stadium.  It's either that or forfeit the game.

 

I'm still debating.

jshclhn

October 8th, 2010 at 7:54 AM ^

The range of excuses is a little wider for a MAC match-up then say MSU when both teams are undefeated and ranked in the top 20 or Ohio State when one or more of the teams has a shot at the Big Ten title.

Personally, I would have a hard time missing one of the latter for a wedding.  If a close family member or friend is getting married, they have the sense to know that I'm watching my Michigan football.  If it's someone outside of that group - you must not be that close to me if you don't know, so you probably won't miss me anyway.

You can't plan when someone is going to die, and grandparents wouldn't understand Michigan football, so I can live with a funeral as an excuse.  I understand that all kid's sports schedule games on Saturdays - there isn't much you can do there.  Hopefully my 4 month old will be a Michigan fan and I can help him skip the other game to watch Michigan with me if the Michigan game is big.

jmscher

October 8th, 2010 at 8:03 AM ^

As missing the game if you dvr/TiVo/record and watch it later without knowing the results? Did this last Saturday for a wedding. Was hard to not check the score but saw DENARD's last td at 3 in the morning. Was still pretty fun.

1201SouthMain

October 8th, 2010 at 8:17 AM ^

that 4th grade football is on Sundays!  My fourth grader has a game at 2pm ....... SUNDAY!  Ann Arbor rec leagues know that you don't schedule kids sports for Saturday afternoons in the fall.

CraigMack

October 8th, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^

arm was trapped under a rock and you had to saw it off, you should still find a way to get your portable satelitte radio out with your good arm and tune to the game.  A UM victory dulls the pain

MICHfanINsecLAND

October 8th, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^

I can honestly say I haven't missed a Michigan game since the, ("Miracle at Michigan") Colorado game. I had just moved to Alabama at that time and the T.V. guide said the game was on. I was sick when I turned on the tube and Alabama was playing Tulane, (I think). I only got to see the final play...ABC was nice enough to switch over to tear my heart out for a second time in one day...From that day forward I vowed never again to trust a hillbilly T.V. guide and of course to get Direct T.V. 

 

MgoblueAF

October 8th, 2010 at 8:19 AM ^

Before they had TiVo, on Jan 1st, 2000, my Mom decided to get remarried (I was 14) The problem was that it was our New Year's day bowl game vs. Alabama when we barely snuck it out against Alabama 35-34 that night. I had to purposely set up my hotel room next to the reception area so I could focus on the game. During commercials, I'd break out for a dance, a bit of chat, and then be back. No one knew of my devious plan until post-game due to my inability to suppress my ridiculous enthusiasm and excitement for the late comeback win. If you have DVR, no excuses. If not, there are ways for any situation to catch at least 50%. That's my take.

formerlyanonymous

October 8th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^

It is only acceptable if you've developed a rash on your eyeballs you caught while experimenting with an underaged Tawainese prostitute while in Tailand during a trip around the world picking fights with natives and selling the still beating hearts of all of the opponents you beat along the way.

Or you know, if you just get tired fo wearing pants.