ESPN announcer Kirk Herbstreit is the color commentator for most big college football games aired on the network, and that includes Monday night's National Championship win for his alma mater Ohio State.
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After the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23, an emotional Herbstreit was brought to tears in the broadcasting booth.
Oh, look… Kirk Herbstreit now suddenly in tears over Ohio State winning the #NationalChampionship.
Who could IMAGINE him doing THAT*
🎥 @sluggahjells pic.twitter.com/dgw3qxKOPL
— The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) January 21, 2025
"When I call these games I'm incredibly objective," Herbstreit said. "I love all of these Ohio State teams, but this team because of what they went through to get to this point, you're just happy."
Kirk Herbstreit gets emotional on the postgame show.
"When I call these games I'm incredibly objective. I love all of these Ohio State teams, but this team because of what they went through to get to this point, you're just happy." pic.twitter.com/BylD7WBQ3N
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 21, 2025
Many fans reacted to this, as they pointed out how announcers shouldn't be rooting for one team in particular.
One user on X wrote, "Kirk Herbstreit: 'I am very objective and try to be as fair as I can be' Comedy writers spend YEARS trying to write a line that funny hahahahaha."
herbie: “when I call these games I’m incredibly objective”
*proceeds to cry on national tv and gets a tissue lol pic.twitter.com/Sb9gwSTV8o
— Cameron Barnette (@cam_barnette) January 21, 2025
While most fans echoed this sentiment, there were some who defended the 5x sports Emmy award winner.
"I don't really understand people dunking on Kirk Herbstreit for being in tears that his alma mater won the national championship," one fan said. "He covers the game objectively every time he has an Ohio State call (which is hard to do), and his son is on the team. He's also human."
In view of Herbstreit's own playing career, he played quarterback for Ohio State from 1989-93, mostly as a backup, but became a starter his senior year.
During that season he completed 155 of 264 passes (58.7%) for 1,904 yards, to go with four passing touchdowns and six interceptions, as the team lost to Florida in the Citrus Bowl.
His greatest accomplishment as a player was breaking the program record at the time (28 passes for 271 yards) vs. the school's biggest rival, Michigan (13-13 tie, 11/21/92); Troy Smith later surpassed this in a 2006 game vs. Michigan (42-39 win), 29-for-41, 316 yards.
Considering that Herbstreit wore the scarlet & grey uniform, and that his son Zak is a tight end on the 2024-25 championship roster, it's easy to see why he might shed some tears.
After the game, Herbstreit posted a message on Instagram under a photo of him hugging his son.
"Love you Zak! Congratulations @ohiostatefb-what a special night!"
🚨BREAKING🚨 2025 QB Chase Herbstreit has committed to Michigan〽️
He is the son of ESPN analyst and former Ohio State QB @KirkHerbstreit.
Read: https://t.co/mEFG4RJUJn pic.twitter.com/x0vLDEVcbD
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) December 8, 2024
To mention, Herbstreit's family surprised many when the youngest son, Chase (three-star QB), recently signed with Michigan during the 2025 recruiting cycle. Needless to say, that may help lighten the bias narrative moving forward.
Related: Kirk Herbstreit Breaks Down in Tears on College Gameday Set Following Death of Dog, Ben
