Northside to New Parents: Miss Falcons in Super Bowl With This 'Official Excuse'

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- While the Atlanta Falcons battle the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, fans of both teams will be focused on big screens, cheese dip and their favorite beverages.

However, some Falcons fans will have a different focus: having a baby.

Northside Hospital, an 868-bed health care provider in north Georgia, is giving an “official pass” to parents of babies born anytime during the big game.

The “Certificate of Recognition” will be awarded to parents who missed the game, serving as “the official excuse for your friends, family and colleagues who watched the game while you were having a #NorthsideBaby.”

In addition to the certificate, the hospital, with campuses in Sandy Springs, Cumming and Canton, will give parents a Falcons gift bag with coffee mugs and travel-sized items, including hand-sanitizers and lip balm.

During the NFC Championship – in which Atlanta defeated Green Bay, 44-21 -- , Northside presented the official excuses to 13 newborn babies and their families.

Northside Hospital in Atlanta delivers more babies than any other single hospital in the nation and anticipates that close to 20 babies will be born at its three hospital campuses during the game on Sunday

Photo: Alpharetta residents Melissa and Jon Mittelbronn with baby Marleigh, who was born at 3:48 p.m. Jan. 22. She weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces. Credit: Northside Hospital