Behind every big smile, there’s often a story that never makes the highlight reel. College GameDay fans know Pat McAfee for his vibrant personality, gameday antics, and knack for electrifying even the dullest matchups. He’s a fan favorite for sure. But his Saturday exuberance might just be masking a deeper pain.

The football world has always embraced its furry companions. We all remember the joy Ben brought to GameDay and Kirk Herbstreit’s very real fear of losing him. Pat and his wife, Samantha, faced that same nightmare three years ago when their beloved dog, Valerie, battled cancer. Just when they thought they’d closed that painful chapter, life, as it so often does, had other plans.

Valerie has got this!

Valerie has never backed down from a fight. Despite enduring canine cancer four times over the years, she emerged triumphant, proving her indomitable spirit. Valerie faced a tough battle with fever, swelling, and weakness, even spending time in the ICU. Doctors were working hard to find out what was going on, and she was holding steady with IVs, pain medication, and steroids. But Valerie? She didn’t give up. Three years ago, she put the cancer scare behind. And just when the McAfees thought they could catch a break, another hurdle appeared. But they’re finding the silver lining.

Now, sharing an update on Instagram, Samantha revealed, “We recently found out our girl is deaf now. But in some odd way, she seems happier. Maybe the ears have been a heavy problem all along. Congratulations on being able to sleep through anything. We love you, Val!” No wonder Valerie refuses to let anything dull her spirit.

Even Pat McAfee re-shared Samantha’s update, adding a lighthearted touch: “WE LOVE YOU GIRL I now mouth to her… knowing that she can read lips,” followed by smiling emojis. They know giving up isn’t an option—not just for Valerie but also for every other furry friend still fighting their own battles.

In 2020, Valerie was diagnosed with cancer—a tumor on her head. She had surgery to remove it, but they knew there was a chance it could come back. And sure enough, during a checkup, they found another tumor in the same area, along with a swollen lymph node. The fear was that the cancer had spread. Doctors explored every option, even trying pain medication, desperately searching for answers. Then, in 2022, Samantha McAfee shared some good news: no new bumps were found, and they’d “officially ruled out cancer.” But the relief was short-lived. Even after ruling out cancer, they suspected Shar Pei fever, a notoriously difficult genetic disease to diagnose.

Through it all, Valerie’s been a warrior. With a little encouragement and some hand-feeding, she’s even started eating again. Her fight’s not over, but with the McAfees by her side, she’ll never face it alone. And that goes for all the furry friends out there!

Valerie is an absolute motivation for Pat McAfee’s wife

Sometimes, life throws a blitz you never see coming. And Pat McAfee and Samantha felt that firsthand when their beloved dog Valerie received a cancer diagnosis. But instead of succumbing to heartbreak, Samantha turned her pain into a purpose by creating Fur the Brand, a nonprofit organization that assists families in affording life-saving treatments for their furry companions.

Giving full credit to her girl, Samantha reflected on the inspiration behind the mission. “My dog Valerie has gone through canine cancer four times. So within that, I wanted to help other families going through it. The financial burden, the stress of not knowing that your child is going to be OK… I came up with Fur the Brand to relieve the financial burden for the pet parent while the animal gets the care that they need.”

Since its launch two years ago, Fur the Brand has raised an impressive $132,000 and provided aid to more than 55 dogs across 20 states. Until recently, McAfee had not personally met the families who received support, but their stories are a testament to the profound impact the organization has made. Canine cancer not only affects pets, but it also blindsides entire families, leaving them emotionally and financially overwhelmed.

This initiative has changed the lives of many, including Adrienne Sparks and her 10-year-old dog, Leo. “He started limping, so we got X-rays… it looked abnormal, so we did a biopsy,” Sparks recalled. Plus, she quickly realized the staggering costs involved, approving a $3,000 amputation followed by chemotherapy. However, these expenses became overwhelming.

Fortunately, while listening to The Pat McAfee Show, Sparks came across Fur the Brand and immediately applied for assistance, determined to do whatever it took to help her dog, Leo, in his fight against cancer. That’s when Fur the Brand stepped in and gave Leo a second chance. Because, as Samantha McAfee knows, every pet deserves a fighting chance, regardless of cost.