One fan is risking his life to watch a game.  Can you say you would do the same?

SCOTT JACOBS

Many people call themselves die-hard fans, but Major Hester is willing to put the phrase to literal use.

In a story first reported by the Associated Press, Hester is risking his life this weekend to watch the Spartans.  Like literally. Hester is putting off having a pacemaker put into his chest, because complications could potentially arise that could lead to him missing MSU’s big-time tilt against the Wolverines this Saturday.

Now that’s a diehard fan.

The poor guy suffers from cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle is weakened. Apparently his heart hasn’t been weakened enough to make the more rational decision of, I don’t know, getting the operation done. But it’s been a while since Michigan State has been ranked this high and with a win in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon his Spartans (yes I can call them his if he’s willing to risk his life for them) could really jump up the polls.  Not to mention put a dent in the unreal year Denard Robinson is having for the hated Wolverines.

Look, I love sports.  I really do.  But no team, no school, would ever come between me and possibility of living or dying.  I want to commend the guy for truly spilling his guts out for Sparty (a school that better take notice of this and get this guy a field pass should he live for Godsakes), but I can’t help but think that this guy is totally and completely nuts.

At 69 he’s a big boy and all grown up, so who am I to judge what prioritizes his life.  But to watch a game on TV (Not even in person) over getting a crucial operation just seems, well, incomprehensible.

“Whatever happens, I want to see the game,” he said to the AP.

Which leads me to wonder: how did they find this guy in the first place?  Did his doctor place a call to the local newspaper saying, “my patient is putting a football game on TV over his own well-being?”

You know the expression, playing with pain?  Well, what he’s doing is watching in pain.  I hope that Michigan State wins now so that the poor man doesn’t die from stress related complications.

So next time you call yourself a die-hard sports fan, ask yourself this: do I really love my team as much as Mark Hester?

You can say no.  It’ll be our little secret.

Photo: AP

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