practice back in my day.
But today's world is a lot different when between club and school, kids can be playing 50 out of 52 weeks a year. Games year round. Nearly every weekend. Travel nearly every weekend. Practice 3-4x a week. The overload is absolutely ridiculous so I've become probably one of the most difficult parents in trying to pull my kid back at times just because I think it's silly and dangerous.
But, football is different with its short and specific season and I do think there's not an excuse to habitually miss. But say the kid is trying to juggle the year round sports (baseball, soccer) than I can understand how that becomes nearly impossible.