Michael McGuire and his son are diehard Kentucky Wildcats fans, so there was no way McGuire was going the miss the opportunity to witness his three-year-old's first live-game experience.
A photo from the game shows McGuire at the game with his son Easton completely covered in soot as he left his coal-mining job and went directly to Rupp Arena to make sure he made it to the game on time.
The photo grabbed the attention of Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who shared why it was particularly special for him.
While speaking to the press later, Calipari further expounded on his admiration for McGuire, and his love and respect for coal miners.
McGuire works six days a week at a coal mine about 40 minutes away from the arena, and he was determined to get to the game even if it meant not having time to wash himself off.
"Didn't want to miss it," he told TODAY's Jacob Soboroff. "I've had to miss quite a few stuff."
Calipari has given McGuire and his family VIP tickets to a game at Kentucky's famed Rupp Arena in, and Michael, along with his wife Mollie, say they will be taking Easton and their 1-year-old daughter, Lynlee, to the big showdown with Kansas January 28th.
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