Erin Andrews is the face of the NFL sidelines. You see her every Sunday, perfectly composed, asking the tough questions to quarterbacks while the wind howls. But for nearly a decade, while she was narrating the biggest games in sports, she was fighting a private war. Honestly, if you only follow her on Instagram, you might think her life is just one big highlight reel.
It isn't.
Mack Roger Stoll arrived in June 2023. He’s a blonde, energetic toddler who reportedly looks a lot like his dad, former NHL player Jarret Stoll. But "Erin Andrews son" isn't just a search term or a cute kid in a mini jersey. He’s what Erin calls her "golden embryo."
The 10-Year Wait for Mack
Most people don't realize that Erin’s path to motherhood started way back in 2013. She was 35. She started freezing eggs as a "just in case" measure. She had no idea how much she’d actually need them.
Then 2016 hit like a blindside tackle.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Suddenly, the conversation wasn't just about "when" they’d have a baby, but "if" she’d even be able to carry one. She had two surgeries and was back on the sidelines just five days later. Seriously. Five days. She told herself she didn't have time to be sick. But the cancer treatment meant she and Jarret had to get serious about IVF.
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They went through nine rounds. Nine. Think about that for a second. That’s nine cycles of needles, hormones, bloating, and waiting for a phone call that usually ended in bad news. She’s been super open about crying in fast-food drive-thrus after appointments. She was traveling for games with IVF needles in her luggage, trying to find a quiet place in a stadium to give herself shots. It was grueling. Basically, her body was being put through the wringer while she smiled for the camera.
Why Surrogacy Was the Only Way
After years of failed transfers and the physical toll of her cancer battle, Erin and Jarret turned to surrogacy. It wasn't an easy choice. Like she’s said on her Calm Down podcast, you always hope you’ll just "miraculously" get pregnant. When that didn't happen, they had to vet surrogates, go through legal hurdles, and face even more heartbreak.
Their first surrogacy attempt in 2021 failed. They lost two embryos.
Erin has talked about how that loss felt even worse than the IVF failures. You put so much trust, money, and hope into a surrogate, and when it doesn't work, it feels like the end of the road. But they had one embryo left.
That "golden embryo" became Mack.
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He was born on June 28, 2023. The delivery was a bit of a whirlwind—apparently, the surrogate pushed once and he was there. There was a brief scare with his heartbeat, a little delivery room "emergency" that turned out fine, but it was the final bit of drama in a decade-long saga.
Life With a Toddler in 2026
Fast forward to today. Mack is a two-year-old whirlwind.
Erin has been really candid about "mom guilt." It’s something every working parent feels, but when your job involves traveling across the country every weekend for the NFL, it hits different. She’s mentioned it’s actually harder to leave him now that he’s older. He knows she’s going. He has a personality.
The Realities of Being a "Sports Baby"
Mack is basically being raised in a locker room atmosphere.
- The Hockey Connection: His dad, Jarret Stoll, won two Stanley Cups with the LA Kings. Mack is already attending Kings events and hanging out with NHL royalty like Mark Messier.
- The Football Connection: He’s been to training camps and watches Monday Night Football with his parents.
- The Justin Bieber Moment: Recently, Mack went viral because he and Justin Bieber looked like "twins" at a charity hockey game. Same blonde hair, same vibe.
But it hasn't all been sunshine lately. In May 2025, Erin shared some devastating news. Their surrogate, who was carrying their second child, suffered a miscarriage. Erin recorded a podcast episode just hours after finding out, crying as she talked about how she’s "really good at doing this s--- with a broken heart."
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She’s a warrior. There’s no other word for it.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that celebrity surrogacy is "the easy way out." People think you just pay someone and a baby appears nine months later. For Erin, it was a $200,000+ journey filled with surgeries, cancer, and grief.
She’s actually used her experience to help others. She partnered with organizations like Baby Quest to provide the "Mack Grant," a $20,000 fund to help couples who can't afford the astronomical costs of IVF and surrogacy. She knows she was lucky to have the resources she did, and she’s not pretending otherwise.
Moving Forward: What You Can Learn from Erin
If you’re struggling with fertility, Erin’s story isn't just a celebrity gossip piece. It’s a blueprint for resilience.
- Start Early: She advocates for egg freezing and testing your fertility markers long before you think you’re ready.
- Find Your "Village": She credits her baby nurse and her co-host Charissa Thompson for keeping her sane. You can't do this alone.
- Be Honest: Stop hiding the "bloated and hormonal" parts of the process. The more people talk about it, the less lonely it feels.
Erin Andrews’ son is a miracle, sure. But he’s also the result of a woman who refused to get tackled by a decade of bad news. She’s still on the sidelines, still asking the hard questions, but now she’s doing it with a little boy waiting for her at home.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Fertility Challenges:
- Consult a specialist early: If you are over 35, don't wait a year to seek help. Many specialists recommend a "fertility MOT" (check-up) to understand your egg reserve (AMH levels).
- Look into grants: Organizations like Baby Quest (which Erin supports) provide financial assistance for those who cannot afford the $20,000+ per round cost of IVF.
- Prioritize mental health: The "broken heart" Erin describes is real. Seeking a therapist who specializes in reproductive trauma is often as important as the medical treatment itself.