The ultimate portrait of "White Privilege".

Coal miner covered in soot goes viral for attending a basketball game with his son after a work shift

A dedicated father who works as a coal miner was spotted at a basketball game with his son, still wearing his sooty work clothes. A photo of the pair has gone viral.

On Oct. 22, Micheal Joe McGuire attended the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball annual Blue-White game at the Appalachian Wireless Arena with his wife, Mollie, and their son. The game was a fundraiser held for victims that had been affected by the floods in eastern Kentucky.

The picture was later shared by University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari. In celebration of Micheal’s work ethic and family values, he wrote: “My family’s American dream started in a Clarksburg, WV coal mine, so this picture hits home … I have tickets for him & his family at Rupp to be treated as VIPs!”

Mollie wrote, “We are just like any other family here in Eastern KY, this was just a normal evening for us where we had plans but he had to work late.”

Her husband worked at Excel Mining until 5 p.m. and the game started at 6, Mollie said. But Micheal, who often ends up missing events due to work, called ahead and told his wife and son he would meet them there.

“My husband chose the job he has to support our family so that I could be home to raise our wonderful children,” Mollie said. “So any chance he can be there he is, no matter how tired or dirty.”