To play or not to play?

Boston radio hack Michael Felger, in one of his obnoxious hot takes, rips into Al Horford for missing a regular season game against Miami for the birth of his daughter. Horford's sister goes after Felger on Twitter, everyone pretty much agrees Felger is a clown.

It begs the question, though. Is there a game in which a player (a significant player) should miss the birth of his child? Game 7? Super Bowl? Are there other personal instances in which missing a game are OK? Son's bah mitzvah? Surgery on your dog? Where is the line, especially when it comes to regular season to postseason?

Boston media personality rips Al Horford for missing a game due to his daughter's birth

 

I took 2 weeks off after the birth of each child and was there in the delivery room each time. Nothing at my job would have prevented me from doing that.

 

I would never under-value what you do at your specific workplace, but if you're in journalism, I know you don't make $30 million per year.

 

I get that, but I also think that is the ultimate hall pass. Horford gets that one.

 

Regular season in November, absolutely. Game 7 of the NBA Finals? That's where it might get tricky, at least for some.

 

I'd enrolled him or her in journalism school and no one would ever know

 

30 million or min wage. You go to your family

 

Joe Flacco missed the birth of his son a few years back to play in the second game of the regular season. Against the trifling Browns.

 

It's a choice. If it's good with mom to be and dad, it is fine either way.

 

Flacco gets paid enough for one game to put 10 kids through college for four years.

I can understand why pro athletes, particularly football players, might think they are serving their family better by playing.

 

Guys just get in the way in a delivery room.

 

If you decide to work, aren't you making a pretty clear statement you value your work over your family?