NFL superstar welcomes new baby after high-risk pregnancy

Indianapolis Colts alumnus and NFL analyst Pat McAfee announced the birth of his second child after his wife, Samantha, underwent an emergency C-section due to pre-eclampsia.

Key Takeaways:

• McAfee and his wife Samantha were married in 2020 and welcomed their first child, a little girl, in 2023.

• In 2025, the couple announced they were expecting their second child.

• Samantha was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and underwent an emergency C-section to safely deliver their son.

The Backstory:

Pat and Samantha McAfee married in 2020, and three years later, welcomed their daughter Mackenzie, with Pat calling it the day they both had been dreaming of. "Momma and I are floating with joy," he wrote. "This is amazing."

In 2025, they announced they were expecting their second baby after struggling with infertility, with a touching message to others who have faced pregnancy loss. "To every woman and couple still in the thick of this journey: you are not alone," Samantha wrote. "I hope our news doesn’t cause you pain, but instead offers a spark of hope. Hope that your story isn’t over. Hope that the impossible can become possible. One day, this storm will pass — and when it does, may your rainbow find you."

The Details:

On Instagram, Pat announced the birth of his son Midas after a difficult, high-risk pregnancy for Samantha. After being diagnosed with "severe pre-eclampsia," she had an emergency C-section, with Midas born safely at 6 lbs, 6 oz.

The couple was able to get some time with their new baby before he had to be taken to the NICU, as he was four weeks premature. "They put a CPAP on our guy, a feeding tube, and put him in a heated pod with a heating lamp to help him develop a bit more," Pat said. "There wasn't much I could do other than bring positive vibes as I bounced back and forth between the 2."

Pat praised his wife for being so strong during recovery, and acknowledged that the NICU time was difficult, though he said he was still full of hope for his son's future:

And every time I went and saw boy, I couldn't help but fantasize about what his life could become.. So many dreams and opportunities waiting for this young stud. We had a sneaky suspicion that he was a dawg and a fighter but, it is a bit scary to see your baby hooked up to so many 'very serious' things.. He ended up staying roughly 36 hours in the NICU before being released back to our room.

Samantha likewise had loving things to say about her husband and his support:

What a wild few days it has been! Couldn’t have done it without such a supportive partner and dedicated father. You sir were not only my “let’s goo squad” but you were an advocate for my wants and health during it all. Thank you for allowing my frustrations, self doubt and hormone changes with grace and acceptance… and continuing to as my body recalculates. I’m so excited to see all that you teach to Midas. He is very lucky to have you as a father to look up too. I love doing life with you, even when it gets bumpy at times! You are my person, I love you Patrick.

The Bottom Line:

Sometimes, there can be emergencies during pregnancy, but the answer, as with the McAfees, is to provide the best possible health care for both mother and baby.