request temporary filtering capability, short of unfollowing

Would LOVE to be able to temporarily unfollow someone and then refollow them later, all without their knowing. A friend I follow loves sports and tweets play by excruciating play of at least one broadcast game per day/night, sometimes pages at a time. I couldn't care less about the games but don't want to offend them by unfollowing. Would rather just be able to filter their tweets out for just a few hours at a time. Thanks.