ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit was visibly emotional watching his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes, win the College Football Playoff national championship game, and we now know why. There is.
Herbstreit appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and talked about complications experienced by his son, Buckeyes walk-on tight end Zach Herbstreit, as well as his wife Allie's battle with breast cancer. He also revealed that he had been diagnosed. .
“It was like a perfect storm for me,” Herbstreit shared with McAfee and his staff on the postgame show as Ohio State celebrated its victory. “My son had heart failure two years ago and we had been talking about heart replacement for a while. He had to medically retire, but Ryan Day put his arm around Zach and stayed involved with him. I think I'm grateful for that.”
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ABC football analyst Kirk Herbstreit watches before the Oregon Ducks vs. Arizona State Sun Devils college football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on November 23, 2019. . (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
“…My wife Allie faced some things. Behind the scenes it was a tough year for me. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and as you know, (our dog) Ben passed away. It was just a big feeling. Do what we do, you do your job.
“What happened, when they won, I was so happy for Ryan Day and everything they faced and everything they went through. It was almost like a relief and it made me It was the best thing for me.”
Ohio State football graduate Kirk Herbstreit breaks down in tears on air after Buckeyes win national title
The Herbstreets met during their days at Ohio State, where Kirk was a four-year letterman quarterback and Allie was a cheerleader. After their marriage, the two had four sons, including Zach, who remained with the Buckeyes even though he had to medically retire due to heart failure.
After leading the Buckeyes to a 34-23 victory with Chris Fowler, Herbstreit appeared on the postgame show, and a teary-eyed Scott Van Pelt watched him as the Ohio State graduate and starter. I decided.
Herbstreit wouldn't say what he said to McAfee, but he did note the resiliency of this Buckeyes group this season.
ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit looks at the college game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-Fil-Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on December 31, 2022. -On the field before the football playoff semifinal game. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Oh, don't get me started, dude,” Herbstreit, who grew up in Centerville, about an hour away from Ohio State, told Van Pelt during the postgame show. “I’m a little emotional, I’m just fired up for them.
“I'm incredibly objective when I call these games. You know, I love all of these Ohio State teams, but this team has had to do a lot to get here. I’m just happy for what they went through.”
When the camera returned to the broadcast booth, Herbstreit was seen grabbing a handkerchief from the camera to wipe away tears while Fowler continued to speak.
Kirk Herbstreit watches from the sideline during a Thursday Night Football game on Amazon Prime at FedEx Field on October 5, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
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As Herbstreit noted, this year has been a trying one for him personally, but he has persevered through college and NFL seasons, including co-starring with Al Michaels on Prime Video's “Thursday Night Football.” It's here.
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