Pat McAfee Was Absent From "Monday Night Raw" Due to a Fatal Family Emergency
"It was a nice reminder to ... tell your people you love them," Pat said.
Published June 26 2024, 10:34 a.m. ET
Sports analyst and former NFL punter Pat McAfee was notably absent from his spot on WWE's Monday Night Raw during their June 24, 2024 broadcast. Fans found this particularly odd because, just prior, he had been seemingly fine during his self-titled podcast and made no mention of his impending absence.
At the beginning of the broadcast, fans were told not to "read too much into it" by Michael Cole. However, the next day, it was reported by the PWTorch that Pat missed the show due to a "legitimate, last-second family emergency" that we now know involved his wife's father. What happened?
Pat McAfee revealed that he was absent due to the unexpected death of his father-in-law.
On the Tuesday following his absence, Pat took to his ESPN show to share the news of what really happened and why he missed the broadcast.
"Yesterday was a day that will be remembered forever in our family ... my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly after the [Pat McAfee Show] ended," he shared. Pat goes on to explain that his wife's father, Bob, had been in the hospital fighting an infection. They had been previously told that he was recovering well and that he would likely be discharged in a few days.
However, things unexpectedly took a turn for the worse, and Pat received a phone call from his wife as the broadcast was ending telling him that he needed to get to the hospital immediately, where Bob then sadly passed away.
"Whenever something blindsides an entire family like that, it can be devastating. My wife is a daddy's girl ... it was obviously a very difficult night for our family, and it was a nice reminder to ... tell your people you love them," Pat said.
(L-R) Samantha and Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee and his wife Samantha have been together since 2020.
During Pat's heartfelt speech about his family emergency, it was very obvious how much love he had for his father-in-law, as well as his wife, Samantha. The two have been married since 2020, and they began dating in 2017.
They share one child together, Mackenzie Lynn, who was born in May 2023. On Father's Day 2023, Samantha shared a touching post about Pat on Instagram.
"As we celebrate your first Father’s Day, I want to say thank you," she shared. "During IVF you transformed into the world’s most patient nurse and you told me I was strong and capable when my anxiety was getting the best of me. Thank you for riding the emotional roller coaster with me as we tried to create a family."
She continued, "On our wedding day, I ended my vows with… 'You’re a man with many hats, but husband is by far my favorite' — that has changed. Fatherhood is my favorite. Watching you navigate our new normal, bond, and fall in love with our daughter has been one of the greatest joys of my life."