Why Tim McGraw Never Hated His Absent Father

Discovering the Birth Certificate00:00

Tim McGraw found his birth certificate at age 11 in Stark, Louisiana, a small farming community with a caution light and cotton gin. He was searching in his mom's closet for a Crown Royal bag full of coins to buy candy or a Coke at school. Next to the bag was a box containing the birth certificate. It had McGraw crossed out with Smith (stepdad's name) written above in pencil. Father's occupation: professional baseball player. At 11, growing up low middle class, this was hard to register. He had three baseball cards on his wall, including Tug McGraw's, one of his favorites.

He called his mom at work. She reacted with shock, said "Oh my god" and came right home. They went for a ride, and she told the full story.

Mother's Story02:00

Mom's junior summer in high school, her mom had left her dad (Tim's grandpa). They stayed in a motor court motel with an outdoor pool. The Jacksonville Suns (Mets minor league team) players stayed there too. Tug McGraw and mom met at the pool, dated over the summer. When he left (called up), she discovered she was pregnant.

Mom was a dancer invited to audition for Where the Action Is by Dick Clark (precursor to American Bandstand). She learned of pregnancy two days before her senior portrait; Tim sees her lost future in her eyes. She hadn't talked to Tug since.

First Meeting at Age 1103:32

Tim wanted to meet him. Mom contacted Tug's lawyer/agent. Tug was still playing. He agreed to leave tickets and have lunch. Mom borrowed car and money from boss. They drove to the game. Tug said, "I'm not your dad. I don't think I'm your dad, but we can be friends."