So when you started watching on Dec. 20 with the Mobile Alabama Bowl, Southern Mississippi's enthralling 28-21 win over TCU, your son looked younger than Macaulay Culkin. So when you finished on Jan. 3 with the BCS national championship game, Oklahoma against Florida State, the poor kid now looked older than Chris Weinke. I think not. Family is family.
Bowl games are bowl games.
This was the one time of the year when bowl games took precedence. Your son might have had a big math test and your daughter might have had problems with her boyfriend, Eminem, but, hey, there will be other math tests and other Eminem boyfriends in the months to come. There is no need to feel guilty, certainly no need to apologize. If your family needs you, hey, here you are. Old Dad is ready to go.