Calling out sick on super bowl sunday doesn't strike me as a big issue. Many of the TMs at my store couldn't care less about football, so I don't think anyone would be too suspicious. ...but with it falling on a date that you put on the swap shift board too? That gets a little fishy. I've been in a similar situation before, and I totally feel for you.
If you're sick and truly feel you shouldn't work, call in. If you're an otherwise good employee with good attendance and leadership is cool with you, you'll be okay. I certainly don't think you'll be "punished" for it- but there's a pretty good chance people will be suspicious and might start looking for other mis-steps. If I was in your shoes I would do absolutely everything I could to show up and work as long as possible. I'd rather go in and have to leave early, just to prove I wasn't faking it. That being said, I'm extremely paranoid about this type of thing. I played hooky all the time as a kid and people caught on quickly, so whenever I was actually sick I felt the need to prove how sick I was and how I wasn't just using it as an excuse.
That creates a totally toxic work environment, but...you know...yay america/retail!
(side note: if you work with food in ANY capacity, stay home. If you're a cashier, stay home. If you're logistics or salesfloor, I think it's worth trying to go in if you're really worried about how it will look. But any work center involving food or excessive guest interaction, I think it's an easy call: stay home!)
