Traditions are the bedrock on which families are built, not just in the NFL, but everywhere. But what do you do when it comes around, but you’re missing the piece that meant everything for that tradition? A piece that created the tradition for you in the first place? That’s exactly the question Samantha McAfee – wife of Pat McAfee – is facing today. As the Indy 500 rolls around, she is reminded of the gap in her life that can never be filled. And our hearts go out to her.
Ever since she was a kid, Samantha has been going to the Indy 500. It is a tradition that started back in 1990 and has continued on for 35 long years, until now. As the race is set to happen on May 25th, Samantha is not looking forward to it this year. Because it was her father who introduced her to the race. It was with him that she came to the tracks every single year since she was a kid. But last year, she couldn’t have known that it was the last time she would be going to the tracks with her dad. Samantha lost her dad in June 2024, barely a month after the Indy 500 last year. So, as she remembered the man on this day, the memories hit hard.
Samantha McAfee took to her Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute to her father. The post features a carousel of pictures. From the time Samantha was a kid, all the way to last year’s race. But more than the pictures, it was her words that hit home. Samantha wrote, “It was the one & only thing we had that was 100% just my dad and I. It gave us the time to not only build a very strong father-daughter bond but it allowed us space to develop a special friendship. 35 years of tradition, bonding, smelling burnt rubber, learning more about cars at a young age then most girls, 35 ‘drivers start your engines’, 35 ‘Back home again in Indiana’” But for Samantha, it’s not the race itself that’s going to be the hardest to deal with. It’s the fly-overs because her dad grew up on Air Force bases.
But Samantha McAfee is trying her best to look ahead. To cherish the memories and move forward in her life. “So after 35 years today will be a day of firsts. I know Bob will be there in whatever form he can. I will be longing for him in a physical form but will find comfort in being around people that get it.” And among all the love and support Samantha received on the post, there was one person who stood out, not by the words they wrote. But simply because she’s someone who gets it. The pain of loss and heartbreak. Erin Andrews wrote a simple, “,” and even that spoke volumes. Andrews’ simple gesture comes in the wake of a tragedy that has struck her family, too. The pain of which will be very difficult for her to recover from.
Erin Andrews’ heartbreaking struggle
While Erin Andrews was showing up, sending love to Samantha, it wasn’t easy for her to do so. When people turned up for the latest edition of the Calm Down podcast, they were looking for another fun-filled sneak peek into the dynamic sportscasters’ life. But through the course of the show, Andrews made a revelation that had people shocked and heartbroken.
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Just a few weeks ago, Erin Andrews was happy, updating people about the progress of her baby with their surrogate mother. But last week, the happy updates took a dark turn. As Andrews said on the podcast with tears in her eyes, “We got some real s—– news today that our surrogate had miscarried.” Andrews had gone through a similar pain before her son Mack finally came into the world. So Erin Andrews braced herself and came on the podcast to share her story with the world because it was a safe space for her. She had also said, “I know my husband’s having a difficult time, and I’m going to go home and be with him. And then we’re going to throw our little two-year-old in a pool. And I feel like squeezes are going to feel a little different from him today.”
Erin Andrews cherishes the moments she has with her son as the family goes through this tragedy together. She knows firsthand, again, the pain of losing someone very dear to you. Even Samantha McAfee had supported Erin when she shared the news. So, no words were needed for Erin to show up for Samantha, after all. They both got it.
The post Erin Andrews Sends Love as Pat McAfee’s Wife Mourns Major Tragedy With Emotional Message Amid Indy 500 appeared first on EssentiallySports.