Associated Press: Detroit man postpones pacemaker surgery so he can watch Michigan-Michigan State football game

Posted on Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.

DETROIT (AP) — A 69-year-old Detroit resident who suffers from a weakened heart has called an audible and told doctors to postpone plans to install a pacemaker — until after this week's Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry game.

Major Hester says he deferred Thursday's procedure because he just can't risk something going wrong on the operating table that would prevent him from seeing the game on TV.

The Detroit News says previous rants by the retired office supply clerk and devout Spartan fan include smacking coffee tables, screaming at coaches and cursing referees. He's even been banished to his bedroom, and forced to watch games alone.

The 17th-ranked Spartans face 18th-ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday (3:36 p.m., ABC).

Hester's surgery is scheduled for next week.