ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit went viral at a major program’s spring game on Saturday.
Herbstreit is an Ohio State alum and former quarterback for the Buckeyes. One of his sons, Zak, was a member of OSU’s national championship last season. However, Herbstreit now has a son who is a member of the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State’s biggest rival.
Chase Herbstreit, who is a quarterback like his dad, committed to Michigan back in December. On Saturday, Herbstreit was in Ann Arbor watching his son compete in the Wolverines’ annual spring game.
A picture of the longtime ESPN personality sporting blue gear and wearing an official lanyard with the Michigan logo on it has been circulating online.
The photo has sparked plenty of reactions from college football fans.
Michigan dad @KirkHerbstreit pic.twitter.com/7WDd5jUBZu
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) April 19, 2025
“Weird. Even Buckeyes know where to go to get their kid an elite education,” one Michigan fan said.
“That picture makes me deeply uncomfortable,” another UM fan noted.
“I give him credit for standing by his kid. You know he’s gotten plenty of earfuls over it, but there he is wearing block Ms,” a third Michigan fan said.
“Weird & strange times in the B1G. Will we see the Michigan Herbstreit Dad in official Michigan swag this season?” an Iowa fan wondered.
“This timeline gets even more confusing,” another college football fan added.
While we doubt Herbie will ever wear actual Michigan gear on his body–the ‘M’ lanyard was for his sideline credential, we’d assume–it is understandably weird for Michigan and Ohio State fans to see him supporting the Maize and Blue in any fashion.
After his son announced his commitment, Herbstreit said he tried to avoid any negative comments from fans.
“I haven’t seen a whole lot of reaction intentionally,” Herbstreit said at the time.
“I know that 80 percent of people are thrilled and 20 percent are jackasses. I just decided – it’s one thing to take shots at me, but if you take a shot at me, and you want to get into a fight, it’s not hard for me to do that. So I just try to ignore that stuff the best I can and stay focused on the positive.”
Related: Kirk Herbstreit Goes Viral For Outfit At Michigan’s Spring Game