🔥 The Team and I are both on Fire: My Wild Game Day Experience 🔥
Here is a wild story for you:
On Saturday, my 3 brothers and I headed to Ann Arbor for The Game. We parked on Jewett as we always do and made the 1.5 mile walk to the stadium, stopping at Stadium Market for strombolis on the way.
My feet get cold pretty easily, so I was wearing battery-powered heated insoles, which I purchased from Amazon about 1.5 months ago. They were not powered on at the time as I had (stupidly, but possibly thankfully?) forgotten the key fob remote at home, which I didn’t realize until we got out of the car.
As we crossed the dirt tailgate lot in front of Crisler Arena about 50 yards from the stadium entrance, the insole in my right shoe exploded and burst into flames. There was no warning, no slow heating up, and no impact that would’ve caused this. I immediately hit the deck yelling and my brothers were able to remove my shoe after what I believe was about 10-12 seconds (double-knotted laces and high top shoes made it difficult). It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.
One of my brothers ran all the way back to the golf course to get service so he could call 911 (no thanks to the traffic cops on Stadium who said said they could not use their walkies to radio for help), and the ambulance was there in 5 minutes. Friendly M fans offered me beer, tequila and a joint (all of which I declined not knowing what drugs the doctors would give me), while an OSU fan (predictably) asked if he could have my ticket (also declined).
The ambulance was there in 5 minutes, and I was able to watch every play of the game from a bed at U of M Hospital in between treatments. I have first, second and third degree burns on my foot. I did not see Zak there, but I’m pretty sure the whole hospital knew I was there after my outburst when we sealed the game. My skin looked like a melted, charred plastic bag peeling way off my foot in weird directions, so they had to cut a bunch of that off which hurt like crazy. I was eventually discharged and have skin graft surgery coming later this week. I should make a full recovery.
Anyway, I thought I would share as I’m guessing many of you live in MI have some type of battery-operated clothing or are considering putting some on a Christmas list. It may seem like a great way to stay warm while shoveling snow, skiing or attending an outdoor event, but I would be very careful with these types of accessories. Maybe stick to the old school insulated layers or go with disposable heaters.
Bummer that I had to miss the game, but I’m grateful that it wasn’t worse. My brothers acted quickly or I’m convinced it would’ve burned all the way through to the bone. And now I just might be able to convince my wife that I deserve a trip to the Rose Bowl since I had to miss The Game. Go Blue, beat Iowa!
November 27th, 2023 at 1:58 PM ^
Muk Luks have 2 pair of their boot socks on sale for $14 or so.
It's possible to order them on their site or pick some up at Dunham's.
They are a blended knit, which is preferable for people like me that find wool itchy.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Did you step on another George Foreman grill Michael?
Hope everything heals quickly
November 27th, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
This story reminded me of the time I went to the ER at UofM hospital. My back was killing me and I couldn’t find any comfortable position to rest in. It was late in the day, so my sister, who was in med school at the time, took me to the ER. We waited about 3 hours before being brought into the ER. We heard this guy screaming in absolute pain. I’ve never heard someone in such distress before or since. So we asked a nurse what had happened and she replied that a construction worker had an accident and was covered in hot tar. I immediately stopped feeling bad about having to wait for 3 hours. The morphine drip helped.
I never did find out what happened to that guy. I hope he was able to recover reasonably well.
November 27th, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
Did your brothers go to the game or the hospital? I know my brothers probably would have loaded me up in the ambulance made sure I was in good hands and then go to the game.
Hope you heal quickly
November 27th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
November 27th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Wow. Good luck healing quickly.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
Those images were an incredibly risky click, but I went for it anyway. Glad it wasn't your skinless foot. So sorry that happened!
November 27th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
you should be able to retire on the money you make on this one
November 27th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
Man, I was afraid the attached pictures were of your foot. Glad it's not any worse than it is. When I was a kid, my dad had a pair of electric socks he used for deer hunting. They each took 2 C batteries.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
I am so sorry that happened to you and especially that you missed the game! Thanks for sharing -- wild stuff.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Oh man that is scary, yes glad it was not worse and I hope you recover soon! And thanks for the PSA - the last few years I have been curious about heated ski boot inserts but I will think twice now.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
And I thought it was Ryan Day on the hot seat...
Heal up smoothly and swiftly brother!
November 27th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
Timeless wisdom follows: wool socks in insulated, Goretex-lined boots = zero risk of combustion.
And. Get better soon!
November 27th, 2023 at 5:38 PM ^
Yes sir. While not cool by my sons standards. My winter gameday footwear involves an ll bean boot and wool socks.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
Friendly reminder not to buy chinese-made shit. It's destroying the planet anyway, and it's worthless and apparently sometimes dangerous.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
Some incredible comedy gold in this thread - thank you guys for the laughs! Especially loved the puns and the Michael Scott grilled foot jokes. To answer a couple questions:
- My wife is handling the legal stuff; we've gotten over 50 attorney recommendations that she is sifting through now. Tough to tell if we will be able to do much, though, as the manufacturer is based overseas. I know there are bigger brands selling these types of accessories at Home Depot/other larger retailers now, and it's possible (probable?) that products released by more reputable manufacturers are still safe for use, though I personally will not be taking that chance.
- It took a LOT of convincing, but I was able to get my brothers to attend the game by pointing out that only 1-2 people would be allowed in the hospital room anyway and that my mom and my wife would not relinquish those spots to anyone.
- For anyone scared of clicking the images - they are NOT of my foot. I did get photos of it, but I'm not interested in making anyone here puke. My brothers were able to calm me down by convincing me that the charred/loose skin was actually just my melted sock/shoe, which of course was not true. Many passers-by said things like "wow, you can see the bone," but it turns out third degree burns are just really white sometimes. A resident at U of M hospital took a ton of pictures and said she is planning on writing a paper on the incident.
Appreciate all the kind words and also the jokes! Some things are just so outrageous and ridiculous that you have to laugh at them through the pain.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
checked the photos first, now I need to read what happened.
November 27th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
I clicked on those pics knowing despite knowing what I might see. Thank you for posting the clothes, not the foot.
November 27th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Wow best of luck on your recovery!
November 27th, 2023 at 12:31 PM ^
You left out the part where Harbaugh met you at the hospital.
In all seriousness, best of luck with your recovery from this horrific incident. I tried heated socks for the first time while attending my son's football game on Saturday (conveniently played at the same time as The Game) and really liked them. Now....not so much.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
Wow. Sorry that happened to you, it sounds awful. I hope your surgery goes well and you heal quickly.
I'm glad you got to watch the game anyway, although obviously not the way you planned to.
Save the shoes, take photos of your injury, and go see a good attorney (not some hack who advertises on TV.) This would be a product liability lawsuit and you need a good lawyer. I read your comment about the manufacturer being overseas, but often you can sue and recover from the company you bought the product from. Product liability is a a speciality and you need someone well versed in that area. Do not feel pressured to retain someone recommended by a friend. Do your research and get someone good. (Yes, I'm an attorney, but I don't practice in Michigan and know nothing about MI law or lawyers.)
November 27th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
WTF man! Glad you're alright and were able to at least watch the game on TV.
November 27th, 2023 at 7:17 PM ^
Sorry this happened. Call Jackie Chiles, he has wanted to go up against amazon forever.
seriously, I am glad your road to recovery looks promising.