What's a "reasonable" reason to miss watching the game?
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?
October 8th, 2010 at 7:36 AM ^
No excuses. This is why they invented Tivo.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
A true fan (just giving you a hard time) would shell out the extra cash and get TIVO or DVR or even a VHS tape recorder.
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"
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).
October 8th, 2010 at 8:01 AM ^
I figure I can speed watch the first half, and be close to real time by the begining of the 4th quarter.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 9:34 AM ^
... I agree with you 100%, but I really like your enthusiasm.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
Actually, I feel the exact opposite. I agree wholeheartedly. However, I guess it could be toned down a notch.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^
been watching 'Sleepless in Seattle' again?
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
I started an event bartending business this year, mostly working weddings. I can tell you that you are not alone in this line of thinking.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
Thank you.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 7:39 AM ^
Your own. Even then hopefully heaven (probably hell) has awesome cable.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:17 AM ^
Who do you think runs Comcast?
October 8th, 2010 at 9:49 AM ^
Dress light.
October 8th, 2010 at 7:51 AM ^
FLOtv or someway to watch. At the very least have it on a radio earpiece.
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.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 7:59 AM ^
is usually a good one.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:03 AM ^
October 8th, 2010 at 8:07 AM ^
Would be hard to do this for ND/MSU/OSU, Penn State some years, or bowl game. The rest, DVR is fine.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:08 AM ^
Blindness
October 8th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^
October 8th, 2010 at 8:09 AM ^
Im going to Cedar Point for free with my girl, trying to decide whether I fake being sick or not
October 8th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
doesn't count at all. That is not an "excuse" that is a choice. What are you 10?
October 8th, 2010 at 9:00 AM ^
Im 10 and a half, thank you very much
October 8th, 2010 at 9:04 AM ^
With the game on?
If it is a blowout, you can go back to the rides . . . to celebrate, or, darkly, to numb the pain and think "I'm gonna die."
October 8th, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
at CP. The screen is in a good spot near the entrances to Mantis and M-Force.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:13 AM ^
a heart attack or blood clots in your legs....
October 8th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^
they have tvs in hospitals...right?
October 8th, 2010 at 8:24 AM ^
$10 bucks says his wife is not cool with this.
"But, honey, I was on ESPN!"
October 8th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^
Saturday night when he realizes he put it off just to be conscious and watch them lose.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 9:43 AM ^
what ever happened to youth games starting at like 8am?
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
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.
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:30 AM ^
Funeral
Your own
(per a wacko high school teacher of mine who really meant it)
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.
October 8th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
Is Brian going to be able to watch the game? Who's going to do the UFR? All the plants are going to die!
October 8th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
Oh man, the first part of your comment hits so close to home here. I hear ya on that one.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:32 AM ^
Death
October 8th, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^
Maybe a little much. A coma would probably suffice.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:32 AM ^
October 8th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
NFW, but ARTMAFG (acceptable reasons to miss a football game)