If you are a fan of college football, chances are you have heard the voice of Kirk Herbstreit. He is one of the most respected and influential sports analysts in the country, covering the biggest games and stories of the NCAA. He is also a co-host of the popular ESPN show College GameDay, where he provides his insights and predictions every Saturday morning. But who is Kirk Herbstreit, and how did he become such a prominent figure in the world of sports media?
In this article, you will learn about the life and career of Kirk Herbstreit, from his childhood in Ohio to his days as a quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes to his rise as an Emmy-winning broadcaster for ESPN. You will also discover how he balances his passion for football with his role as a father of four sons and how he deals with the challenges and controversies that come with his job. You will get to know the man behind the microphone and why he is more than just a football expert. He is a father, a fan, and a football legend.
Birth, Parents, and Education
As a former football player and a renowned sports analyst, Kirk Herbstreit has made a name for himself in the American media. He was born in Centerville, Ohio, on August 19, 1969, to Jim Herbstreit, who also played football and was a co-captain of the Ohio State team in 1960. Kirk inherited his father’s love for the sport and became a quarterback for Ohio State University from 1989 to 1992.
He earned a degree in business administration from Ohio State in 1993 and then embarked on a successful career as a sports broadcaster and analyst for ESPN and ABC, covering college football games and events. He has received many awards and honors for his work, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Event Analyst in 2018.
Career
In his final season as a quarterback for Ohio State, Kirk Herbstreit was the team MVP and a co-captain, and he threw for four touchdowns and 1,904 yards. He finished his degree in business administration from Ohio State in 1993. He began his career as a sports broadcaster and analyst in 1995, working for ESPN as a game analyst and a sideline reporter.
He became a part of the College GameDay team in 1996, along with Chris Fowler and Lee Corso. He has received many awards and honors for his work, such as five Sports Emmy Awards in different categories. He was also a commentator for the NCAA Football video game series until 2013.
Kirk Herbstreit, Wife, and Children
The name of Kirk Herbstreit’s wife Allison Butler. She was a cheerleader at Ohio State University, where they met, and have been married for over 24 years. They live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their four sons: Tye, Jake, Zak, and Chase. All of their sons share their love for sports, especially football.
Tye and Jake
They are twins who look exactly alike and were born in 1999. They played football at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, as wide receivers. They chose to join the Clemson Tigers as preferred walk-ons in 2018, inspired by their father’s respect for the culture and leadership of coach Dabo Swinney. They are now sophomores at Clemson and play as wide receivers.
Zak
He was born in 2003. He played football at Montgomery Bell Academy as a tight end. He decided to commit to Ohio State as a preferred walk-on in 2021, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He is a freshman at Ohio State and wears the number 86 jersey. He had a medical emergency that required him to be hospitalized, but he is doing well and is thankful for the support of his family and doctors.
Chase
He is the youngest of Kirk and Allison’s sons, born in 2007. He is a quarterback at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a sophomore and has expressed his desire to play for Ohio State in the future. He also supports the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds, like his father.
Kirk’s sons are all passionate and talented about sports, especially football. Kirk is very proud of his sons and supports them in their pursuits. He often posts pictures and videos of them on his social media accounts. He also acknowledges his wife for being his best friend and the glue that keeps their family together. Kirk and Allison have been married for over 23 years and live in Nashville, Tennessee. They are a happy and supportive family, and Kirk often praises his wife for being his best friend.
Net Worth
Various sources estimate that Kirk Herbstreit has a net worth of about $12 million as of 2023. He earns $4 million a year from ESPN and $10 million a year from Amazon Prime Video, where he hosts Thursday Night Football, which makes him one of the most well-paid sports commentators in the nation.
Social Media
He has an X account, @KirkHerbstreit, whereas his Instagram account is @kirkherbstreit.
Books
He wrote a book called Out of the Pocket: Football, Fatherhood, and College GameDay Saturdays, which is a personal account of his life and career as a football player and a sports analyst. He also collaborated with Bill Rabinowitz on The Chase: How Ohio State Captured the First College Football Playoff and with Jack Park on The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia: 3rd Edition.
Where does Kirk Herbstreit live with his family?
Kirk Herbstreit and his family reside in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a house in Cincinnati, Ohio, that he rents to be close to his son Chase, who plays as a quarterback at St. Xavier High School. He relocated from Ohio to Tennessee in 2011 due to some Ohio State fans who harassed him.
Bottom Line
Kirk Herbstreit is more than just a sports analyst and a former football player. He is also a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal fan. He has achieved success and recognition in his career, but he has also faced challenges and controversies. He has balanced his passion for football with his role as a family man, and he has inspired his sons to follow their dreams. He is a legend in the world of college football and a role model for many. He is Kirk Herbstreit, a father, a fan, and a football expert.
