Emotions were high for everyone who had their teams play in the college football national championship Monday night, even on the ESPN broadcast team.
Kirk Herbstreit, who played his college football at Ohio State as a quarterback from 1989-93, couldn’t contain his emotions after watching his Buckeyes win the school’s ninth national title, this time over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The 34-23 victory for the Buckeyes prompted Herbstreit to reflect on this resilient group that went on a dominant playoff run after a tough loss to their rival Michigan Wolverines.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Kirk Herbstreit speaks to the media during the 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building A. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
As Herbstreit explained overcoming adversity alongside 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 get me started, man,” Herbstreit, who grew up about an hour away from Ohio State in Centerville, told ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt during the postgame show. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just passionate about these guys.
“When I call these games, I’m incredibly objective. You know, I love all these Ohio State teams, but this team because of what they went through to get to this point, you’re just happy.”
OHIO STATE HOLDS NOTRE DAME TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL
As the cameras cut back to the broadcast booth, Herbstreit was seen taking a handkerchief off camera to wipe away tears as Fowler continued to speak.
Fans know all too well how it feels when their favorite team wins championships, as tears sometimes flow as a result. The same applies to alumni of the schools.
Herbstreit played football for the Buckeyes after being the school’s first player to commit following the hiring of John Cooper as head coach in 1988. Herbstreit was the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Centerville High School.
Analyst Kirk Herbstreit tosses the football with fans on the set of ESPN’s College Game Day at the University of Texas prior to the Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs in Austin, Texas on Oct. 19, 2024. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
He didn’t really see action until his junior season, where he was used sparingly over 11 games. However, Herbstreit was the starter through his senior season, throwing for 1,904 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions over 11 games.
Additionally, while Herbstreit discussed the adversity this team went through this season, he also faced some personal adversity through a major loss in his life.
Herbstreit’s beloved golden retriever, Ben, who was a consistent presence on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” was knocked down after his battle with cancer.
“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared for Ben that I wanted to tell you. We found out today that the cancer had spread to Ben’s organs and there was nothing left, we could do — we had to let him go,” Herbstreit wrote back in November.
On the first “College Gameday” after the difficult decision to put Ben down, Herbstreit couldn’t even speak as emotions poured over him discussing his beloved companion.
Ben’s brother, Peter, has been along for the ride with Herbstreit as he continues to travel the country with one of his dogs by his side.
ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit before the CFP National Championship college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
There have been ups and downs for Herbstreit this college football season, and it ends with tears of joy.
