Pat McAfee and Samantha McAfee expanded their family in May 2026 with the birth of their son, Midas, after earlier fertility struggles and the arrival of their daughter, Mackenzie. McAfee shared the baby’s NICU stay and the meaning behind Midas’ name.
Pat McAfee went into the hospital knowing their family would change again, but nothing in his posts prepared fans for how intense the early days already were.
In May 2026, Pat and Samantha McAfee welcomed their son, Midas, via an emergency C-section. After Midas arrived. McAfee said he and Samantha “had a sneaky suspicion that he was a dawg and a fighter. ” but it was still “a bit scary” to see their baby “hooked up to so many ‘very serious’ things.” In the same update posted on X. McAfee wrote that Midas was sent to the NICU and stayed there for roughly 36 hours before being released back to their room. “A FULL CELEBRATION occured [sic]. ” he added. describing days of “sleeping and burping and feeding and changing diapers” as they settled in.
McAfee also wrote that they were aiming to get back home to their 3-year-old daughter. Mackenzie. “today or tomorrow. ” and that they couldn’t wait for her to meet her baby brother. He thanked their grandparents for “a PHENOMENAL job” of keeping Mackenzie informed and distracted while they’d been living in the hospital. saying the family was “VERY THANKFUL for them.”.
The birth comes after a public stretch of fertility uncertainty and hope. In 2023, Samantha McAfee revealed that she suffered two miscarriages and began trying to conceive using in vitro fertilization (IVF). The couple welcomed their first child, Mackenzie, in May 2023. Samantha later called it “Literally the biggest joy life has ever brought me,” in an Instagram post.
Then, in November 2025, the couple announced they were expecting baby No. 2. Samantha described IVF as pushing her body “to its limits” and stretching their spirits. writing: “IVF pushed my body to its limits and stretched our spirits in ways we never expected. ” before adding that the pregnancy was “hope and heartbreak. faith and fear — all tangled together as we trusted science and prayed for another miracle.” She also shared that the baby boy was “arriving June 2026. ” and told other women and couples still in the “thick of this journey” that they were “not alone.”.
Pat’s public-facing life has always moved fast too. The former Indianapolis Colts punter now works as an analyst for ESPN. hosts The Pat McAfee Show. and makes his way to WWE events as a commentator—sometimes even stepping into the matches. But through it all, the McAfees have kept returning to the same emotional center: their family.
Samantha McAfee, originally from Indianapolis, graduated from the University of Southern Indiana. The couple got engaged in 2019 after Pat proposed in front of a waterfall in Hawaii. with Samantha describing the moment where “my boyfriend became my fiancé.” They married in 2020. adjusting their wedding plans due to the COVID pandemic.
Beyond her role as a mother. Samantha is the founder and CEO of Fur The Brand. a non-profit that raises awareness for canine cancer while providing financial assistance for families who can’t afford necessary treatment for their dogs. Fur The Brand ceased operation in May 2025. She’s also been open about her own anxiety as part of her advocacy for mental health awareness.
In the world of entertainment and sports crossover, Samantha’s fandom has even made its way into conversation. Pat revealed to Travis Kelce in an October 2025 episode of the tight end’s podcast. “New Heights. ” that he constantly gets updates on Taylor Swift from his wife—saying she was “a massive fan of your lady” and that she sends him details that include Swift with people he mentioned as “Wolverine and Deadpool.”.
As for Midas’ name, McAfee said it draws inspiration from the mythological figure of the same name. He reflected that coming from “not a lot. ” the idea of everything you touch becoming “gold” was “certainly an immediate draw. ” but he emphasized that in their world. “gold can only come from working your ass off. getting lucky. and having great folks around you.” He said the name is meant to be “perfect for the boy” he and Samantha want to raise: “He will be an asset to society. he will treat folks right. and he will work his ass off to help his community achieve their own form of ‘gold.’”.
McAfee also explained that Midas’ middle name is a tribute to Samantha’s dad and best friend. a man Pat said they lost “way too soon” a couple of years back. “Midas will know his grandfather thru our stories and pictures.. and we know Bob will be looking out for Midas for all of time. ” Pat wrote. with the name “Mighty Midas” serving as the living memorial.
Right now, the family’s focus is simple: bringing Mackenzie home into the new rhythm of life with her baby brother, and continuing the story they’ve already shared so openly—one filled with medical appointments, hope, and the kind of joy that arrives only after the hard parts.
Pat McAfee Samantha McAfee Midas McAfee Mackenzie McAfee emergency C-section NICU IVF Taylor Swift Travis Kelce New Heights ESPN The Pat McAfee Show WWE
Wait so his son’s name is Midas like King Midas?? That’s kinda wild.
Emergency c-section and NICU for 36 hours?? That sounds terrifying, I’m glad they’re okay. Also fertility struggles like that are no joke, I wish more people talked about it.
Midas being a “dawg and a fighter” is kind of funny but also like… was it actually an emergency thing or did the baby just show up early? The article says “emergency C-section” but then it’s like only 36 hours NICU so I’m confused.
I read this on X too and I thought it said he was born like in 2024? Social media be confusing. But honestly I’m happy for them either way, and the fact the sister got kept busy while they were in the hospital is sweet. Hopefully they’re home now and not dealing with more NICU stuff, because that part always worries me.