National Football League

Cook in hospital, unable to attend game

Published Feb. 5, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Robert Cook, part of the famous foursome that never has missed attending a Super Bowl game in 44 years, was in the hospital Saturday and will be unable to attend Sunday's game, his wife told The Dallas Morning News.

Cook, 79, and his three buddies of the "Never Miss a Super Bowl Club" gained fame for their annual tradition when it was featured in a TV commercial leading up to Super Bowl XLV.

"He's depressed," said Cook's wife, Sarah, who declined to say why her husband is hospitalized. "This is sad for him. ... He doesn't want to be there,"referring to the Wisconsin hospital her husband's been in since Thursday.

"He'll be watching it on TV, no ands, if and buts about it," she said.

His love for the Super Bowl is all in the family though: His tickets will be used by two of his daughters, who will watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers face off at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on FOX (pregame at 2 p.m. ET, game time at 6 p.m.).