Ohio State football graduate Kirk Herbstreit broke down during the broadcast after the Buckeyes won the national title

Emotions were high for everyone playing on his team college football Monday night’s national championship, even on the ESPN broadcast team.

Kirk Herbstreit, who played college football as a quarterback at Ohio State from 1989-93, couldn’t contain his emotions after watching. his Buckeyes won the school’s ninth national title, this time defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The 34-23 win for the Buckeyes had Herbstreit reflecting on this solid group that is riding a dominant playoff run after a tough loss to the rival Michigan Wolverines.

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Kirk Herbstreit speaks to the media at the 2025 CFP National Championship Media Day at the Georgia World Congress Center. (Photos by Kirby Lee-Imagn)

As Herbstreit described overcoming adversity with fellow gamer Chris Fowler, tears welled up in his eyes and he couldn’t hold them back.

“Oh, don’t get started on me, man,” Herbstreit, who grew up about an hour away from Ohio State, told ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt during the postgame show. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just upset about these guys.

“I’m incredibly objective when I call these games. You know, I love all these Ohio State teams, but for what this team has gone through to get to this point, you’re just happy.”

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As the cameras pulled back to the broadcast booth, Herbstreit was seen taking a tissue from the camera to wipe away tears as Fowler continued to speak.

Fans know all too well how it feels when their favorite teams win a championship, because sometimes tears flow as a result. The same applies to graduates of schools.

Herbstreit played football for the Buckeyes in 1988 after becoming the school’s first player since John Cooper was hired as head coach. Herbstreit Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year As a senior at Centerville High School.

Analyst Kirk Herbstreit plays football with fans on the set of ESPN’s College Game Day before the University of Texas Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Oct. 19, 2024 in Austin. (USA TODAY NETWORK via Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/Imagn Images)

He didn’t see real action until his junior season, when he was barely used in 11 games. However, Herbstreit was the starter of a big season, throwing for 1,904 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions through 11 games.

Additionally, while Herbstreit discussed the struggles this team has gone through this season, he also faced some personal struggles with a major loss in his life.

Herbstreit’s beloved golden retriever, Ben, a regular on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” has been suspended following his battle with cancer.

“This is really hard to write, but so many of you loved and cared about Ben so much that I wanted to let you know. Today we found out that the cancer has spread to all of Ben’s organs and there is nothing we can do – we have to let him go,” Herbstreit wrote in November. .

On the first “College Game Day” since the difficult decision to put Ben down, Herbstreit was speechless as she was overcome with emotion as she discussed her beloved teammate.

Ben’s brother, Peter, went on a walk with Herbstreit as he continued to cross-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 Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Photos by Kirby Lee-Imagn)

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This college football season has been ups and downs for Herbstreit, and it ends with tears of joy.

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