Kirk Herbstreit Bio: NFL, College, Wife, ESPN & Net Worth

Kirk Herbstreit is a sports analyst for ESPN’s weekly program called College GameDay and a color commentator for college games on ABC and ESPN. On top of that, he also played college football at Ohio State, along with basketball and baseball.

The broadcaster works alongside the legend college football coach Lee Corso, sports television journalist Rece Davis, former NFL player Desmond Howard, former NFL linebacker David Pollack and analyst Maria Taylor.

During his college football career, he served as a quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes and, in his senior year, was the co-captain of the team and later voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). His father was also a co-captain in 1960, which made them the second father-son pair to serve as the co-captain of the Buckeyes.

Herbstreit was also known for his 2009 case where he sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for not following the policies of tax deduction after donating their house to the fire department.

Before getting into details about the player’s life, here are some quick facts about him.

Quick Facts

Kirk Herbstreit | Early Life, Family, And Education

The former footballer was born in Centerville, Ohio, to Jim Herbstreit and Judy Herbstreit. In school, Kirk played football, basketball, and baseball. Moreover, his father was a former college footballer, so he grew to love the sport and became good at it from his father.

As a kid, he was influenced by his father’s successful college football career. Moreover, he loved watching and listening to games. From there on, he went on to be fond of commentators and sportscaster and, in general, interested in sports.

Kirk served as a quarterback for the school team and, in his final year, won the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. The sportscaster graduated high school from Centerville High School.

After that, he went on to attend Ohio State University for his college-level education. Also, he played college football for four years. The former footballer graduated from Ohio with a Business Administration degree.

Kirk Herbstreit | Age, Height, and Weight

Herbstreit turned 51 recently on August 19, 2020. He weighs 144 lbs, which is approximately 65 kgs and is 6 feet 3 inches high.

Kirk Herbstreit | Football And Broadcasting Career

Football Career

After graduating from Centerville High School, he went on to attend Ohio State University. The sports analyst played as a quarterback for the Ohio Buckeyes and achieved a varsity letter for four years.

Along with the team, he played in the Florida Citrus Bowl and passed for 1,904 yards against the Georgia Bulldogs. However, the Buckeyes lost the game. The commentator set the record for 28 pass completions in a game against the Michigan Wolverines in 1992 that stood for 14 years.

Moreover, he became a co-captain for the team in his senior year as his father, an assistant coach. On top of that, he was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the group.

Broadcasting Career

The former Buckeye joined the ESPN family in 1996. He covers college football with co-hosts Lee Corso, Rece Davis, David Pollack, Maria Taylor, and Desmond Howard. On top of that, Herbstreit is also a sports analyst and commentator in ABC’s Saturday college football primetime games with fellow ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler.

Moreover, he is also actively contributing his analyst skills to ESPN’s website and ESPN magazine. As of 2020, the former athlete is one of the lead analysts in College GameDay. The 51-year-old is also on ESPN radio 97.1 The Fan and has contributed to Thursday Night Football as a color commentator. On top of that, he also had a column in The Sporting News.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kirk Herbstreit (@kirkherbstreit)

Furthermore, he has won two Emmy Awards in 2010 and 2011 under the category Outstanding Sports Personality-Studio Analyst. The broadcaster was nominated in this category several times before.

Herbstreit recently broke down in tears in an online episode of College GameDay, where he addressed the systemic racism issue deeply rooted in America. He quoted a profound Benjamin Franklin quote and stated that nobody should feel afraid of wearing a hoodie and encouraged people to listen.

Also, check out fellow ESPN Broadcaster Jon Gruden Bio: Age, Career, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Contract Wiki

Awards and Honors

• Gatorade Player of the Year for Ohio State in the 1987-88 season
• Winner of Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality-Studio Analyst in the years 2010 and 2011
• Nominee for Emmy’s Outstanding Sports Personality-Studio Analyst in the years 1998, 2006, 2007 & 2014
• Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Sports Personality-Sports Event Analyst in the years 2014, 2015 & 2016

Kirk Herbstreit | Marriage And Kids

The Ohio resident met his wife, Allison Butler, in College, where she was a cheerleader. Soon after, they got married in 1988. The pair welcomed their first children, who were twins, namely Jake Herbstreit and Tye Herbstreit, in 2000. Their firstborn twins play college football at Clemson University for the Clemson Tigers. The duo has two more sons, namely Zak Herbstreit and Chase Herbstreit.

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A post shared by Kirk Herbstreit (@kirkherbstreit)

There has been a lot of rumors surrounding the faithfulness of Kirk in his marriage to Butler. During the marriage, he reportedly had an extramarital affair with the wife of a police officer who was Kirk’s fan. The police officer, Jerry Dunlaw, had even asked Herbstreit to sign his wife Tracy’s chest once.

Kirk admitted to his extramarital relationship with Tracy and expressed remorse for his actions.

Jerry divorced his wife as a result of adultery. Despite rumors about the couple’s separation and divorce, they remain very much married and together.

Recently, several reports indicated the 51-year-old to be having an affair with his co-worker Erin Andrews. However, the couple has not addressed any rumors and allegations.

Kirk Herbstreit | IRS Case And Leaving Ohio

In 2009, the pair sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after it refused to deduct tax despite donating their house to the fire department before building their dream house.

However, in 2011, the family relocated to Nashville from Ohio after harassment from Ohio State fans.

As an analyst, Herbstreit tries his best to give an unbiased report interpreted by the fans as betraying his state and former team. Even the slightest critical comment would set the fans off, and they would call him names.

However, he denies that the move to Nashville was because of the overwhelming harassment. He stated that they had contemplated the move three years prior. Nevertheless, he has nothing but love and warmth in his heart for Ohio State and the Buckeyes.

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Kirk Herbstreit | Charity, Net Worth, And Salary

Net Worth And Salary

The broadcaster’s net worth, as of 2020, is $4 million. Moreover, the player reportedly earned $2 million in salary as per his contract. The former athlete may have signed a deal that will last till 2022 with ESPN. His estimated annual salary is $450 thousand.

On top of working in College GameDay, ESPN radio, ESPN.com, ESPN magazine, he also serves as an ABC analyst. The 51-year-old owns a lavish house in Nashville, cars, and few possessions.

Charity

The quarterback also cares about giving back to the community and actively participates in charities. He has contributed to multiple charities. In 2012, the former athlete donated to Buckeye Cruise for Cancer to fight cancer and The Make A Wish Foundation Ultimate Sports Auction.

Kirk Herbstreit | Social Media Presence

The sportscaster is on Instagram with 124 thousand followers. He shares a playful relationship with college football coach Lee Corso and frequently shares pictures and videos with him. Moreover, he even has Lee in his profile picture. Videos of Corso’s helmet prediction in stadiums, headgear mascot in College GameDay is viral.

The funny argument between Lee and Kirk is also well received. Moreover, his catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend,” typically aimed at Herbstreit, is equally popular. Besides that, he posts a lot about his job, college football, his four kids, and dogs.

LC was the head coach at @UofLFootball from 1969-1972…this morning before @CollegeGameDay he tells us some fun stories from his time there. pic.twitter.com/LORchyRM3L

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 19, 2020

The former athlete is also on Twitter, with 1.5 million followers. He is relatively more active on Twitter and often shares and retweets about college football. The former Buckeye has also used his platform to share his concern regarding the systemic racism and killing of innocent black lives.

A recent clip of him talking about racism, police brutality, and hate regarding people of color where he teared up made some of his co-hosts emotional. He requests everyone to be better, and as white people with privilege, listen to those negatively affected by systemic racism.

Common Queries

Did Kirk Herbstreit play professional football?

No, Kirk did not play professional football. His football career was limited to Ohio State University, with the Buckeyes as a quarterback.

Why did Kirk Herbstreit move to Nashville?

As an analyst, Herbstreit tries to give a neutral and unbiased report on every game. But every time he gave his honest opinion on a game involving his alma mater, the Ohio fans would get offended and harass him.

Even the slightest critic of their game or any suggested improvements about the Ohio Buckeyes would get their admirers agitated and call him names such as traitor.

How long has Kirk Herbstreit been on GameDay?

Kirk has been on College GameDay for over 30 years now. He joined his co-hosts, Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Maria Taylor, Desmond Howard, and David Pollack, to host the weekly program in 1989 and still works there to this day.