Why Tim McGraw Never Hated His Absent Father

The gist

1. McGraw found out at age 11 that his biological father was a professional athlete, which gave him hope rather than anger.
2. At 18, McGraw confronted Tug in person, and Tug tore up a contract that would have blocked any real relationship between them.
3. McGraw says the hope that he could escape his circumstances, not money or presence, was the most valuable thing his father gave him.
4. McGraw chose forgiveness over resentment, seeing hope itself as the gift that helped him get out of poverty and dysfunction.