‘Always a Buckeye’ – Fans praise tearful ESPN presenter as he’s forced to walk off camera after CFP final

Kirk Herbstreit lived every father’s dream as he watched his son win a national championship. The ESPN broadcaster played quarterback for Ohio State from 1989-92 and was on the call as his Alma Matter beat Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff final on Monday. Herbstreit (left) walks off camera to grab a tissueESPN It was the Buckeyes’ first national triumph since Urban Meyer led them to glory in 2014 and ninth in the program’s history. It was doubly special for Herbstreit, whose son Zak plays tight end at his old school. He was visibly emotional on SportsCenter after a thrilling 34-23 victory and had to walk off camera before returning to finish the segment. Some fans were critical of Herbstreit showing his emotion, but were quickly set straight. “Once a buckeye, always a buckeye. Glad he let it out,” said one viewer. “I always knew his inner Buckeye would come out… Sucks that ESPN basically forces him to talk up the SEC,” added another. “He just watched his son win a national championship for the same team he played for,” a third wrote. “Anyone who wouldn’t cry at their team winning a natty isn’t a true fan,” posted a fourth. Ohio State lost to No.1 seed Oregon in October before an embarrassing defeat to rivals Michigan ruled out a shot at the the Big Ten championship game. But the Buckeyes have dominated the new-look 12-team playoffs, seeing off, Tennessee, Oregon and Texas before toppling the Fighting Irish. Kirk hugs his son Zak after the gameInstagram @kirkherbstreit GettyOhio State won a ninth national title[/caption] “I’m a little emotional,” said 55-year-old Herbstreit. “I’m just fired up for these guys. “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. “They went to hell and back. We can try to make this sound soft, but my thing is, I talk to these players. I talk to these coaches. I know what they faced after that Michigan game. “I know the pain, and I know that a lot of people thought, ‘The hell with this guy. Who else can be the guy?’ [head coach Ryan Day] just handled it, took the high road and didn’t say anything. “He went out, got his team ready to play four games, and they won it. And I think that’s why I’m emotional. What these guys faced.” Earlier this season, Day saw Michigan fans plant their flag at midfield in the Buckeye’s Horseshoe home as chants of ‘f*** Ryan Day’ rang out. It has been quite the redemption arc. “After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever,” he said. “There was a point where not a lot of people had that vision, but these guys did, and they saw it through. “Ohio State may not be for everybody, but it’s for these guys.”

Jan 21, 2025 - 16:49

‘Always a Buckeye’ – Fans praise tearful ESPN presenter as he’s forced to walk off camera after CFP final

Kirk Herbstreit lived every father’s dream as he watched his son win a national championship.

The ESPN broadcaster played quarterback for Ohio State from 1989-92 and was on the call as his Alma Matter beat Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff final on Monday.

Herbstreit (left) walks off camera to grab a tissue

It was the Buckeyes’ first national triumph since Urban Meyer led them to glory in 2014 and ninth in the program’s history.

It was doubly special for Herbstreit, whose son Zak plays tight end at his old school.

He was visibly emotional on SportsCenter after a thrilling 34-23 victory and had to walk off camera before returning to finish the segment.

Some fans were critical of Herbstreit showing his emotion, but were quickly set straight.

“Once a buckeye, always a buckeye. Glad he let it out,” said one viewer.

“I always knew his inner Buckeye would come out… Sucks that ESPN basically forces him to talk up the SEC,” added another.

“He just watched his son win a national championship for the same team he played for,” a third wrote.

“Anyone who wouldn’t cry at their team winning a natty isn’t a true fan,” posted a fourth.

Ohio State lost to No.1 seed Oregon in October before an embarrassing defeat to rivals Michigan ruled out a shot at the the Big Ten championship game.

But the Buckeyes have dominated the new-look 12-team playoffs, seeing off, Tennessee, Oregon and Texas before toppling the Fighting Irish.

Ohio State won a ninth national title[/caption]

“I’m a little emotional,” said 55-year-old Herbstreit. “I’m just fired up for these guys.

“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.

“They went to hell and back. We can try to make this sound soft, but my thing is, I talk to these players. I talk to these coaches. I know what they faced after that Michigan game.

“I know the pain, and I know that a lot of people thought, ‘The hell with this guy. Who else can be the guy?’ [head coach Ryan Day] just handled it, took the high road and didn’t say anything.

“He went out, got his team ready to play four games, and they won it. And I think that’s why I’m emotional. What these guys faced.”

Earlier this season, Day saw Michigan fans plant their flag at midfield in the Buckeye’s Horseshoe home as chants of ‘f*** Ryan Day’ rang out.

It has been quite the redemption arc.

“After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever,” he said.

“There was a point where not a lot of people had that vision, but these guys did, and they saw it through.

“Ohio State may not be for everybody, but it’s for these guys.”