Ohio State football alum Kirk Herbstreit breaks down on broadcast after Buckeyes win national title
Emotions were running high for everyone attending the college football national championship game Monday night, even the ESPN broadcast team.
Kirk Herbstreit played quarterback at Ohio State from 1989-93 and saw his Buckeyes win the school’s ninth national title, this time over After joining the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, he couldn’t contain his emotions.
The Buckeyes’ 34-23 victory left Herbstreit reflecting on a dynamic team that dominated the playoffs after a tough loss to rival Michigan Wolverines.
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Kirk Herbstreit speaks with the media during the 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day in Building A of the Georgia World Congress Center. (Kirby Lee – Image)
As Herbstreit explained how to overcome adversity next to his play-by-play colleague Chris Fowler, tears began to well up in his eyes and he couldn’t hold them back.
“Oh, don’t start with me, man,” Herbstreit told his ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt on the postgame show. Drive to Centerville where I grew up. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just excited for these guys.
“I’m very objective when I evaluate these games. You know, I love all these Ohio State teams, but this team got to this point because of what they’ve been through, and you’re happy.”
Ohio State beats Notre Dame to win college football national championship
When the camera cut back to the broadcast room, Herbstreit was spotted grabbing a handkerchief from the camera and wiping tears while Fowler continued to speak.
Fans know all too well what it feels like when their favorite team wins a championship, sometimes in tears. The same goes for the school’s alumni.
Herbstreit was the first player to commit when the Buckeyes hired John Cooper as head coach in 1988 and subsequently played for the Buckeyes. State Gatorade Player of the Year.
Analyst Kirk Herbstreit before the Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Oct. 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas Throw a football with fans live on ESPN’s Texas College GameDay. (Sarah Deakins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
He didn’t get a real chance to play until his junior season, when he only played in 11 games. However, Herbstreit was a starter throughout his senior season, passing for 1,904 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions in 11 games.
Additionally, while Herbstreit discussed the adversity the team has experienced this season, he has also faced some personal adversity due to significant losses in his life.
Herbstreit’s beloved golden retriever Ben, who frequently appeared on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” was euthanized after a battle with cancer.
“This is really hard to write, but so many of you love and care about Ben, so I wanted to let you know. Today we found out that the cancer had spread to all of Ben’s organs and there was nothing we could do – we had to let him go,” Herbstreit replied in November.
On the first College Game Day after making the difficult decision to put Ben down, Herbstreit couldn’t even speak because he got so emotional talking about his beloved teammate.
Ben’s brother Peter remained with Herbstreit, who continued to travel around the country with a dog.
ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit watches the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium CFP National Championship college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Kirby Lee – Image)
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Herbstreit This college football season had its highs and lows, ending with tears of joy.
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