No one needs to tell Kirk Herbstreit how intense the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is.
Herbstreit has been on the OSU side of things as a player and a parent, as his son Zak is currently a tight end for the Buckeyes. However, Chase Herbstreit, Zak’s younger brother, committed to Michigan back in December in a move that shocked many. A quarterback recruit and an Ohio State diehard, according to his dad, Chase decided his best opportunity will come wearing maize and blue.
Speaking of those colors, a photo of Herbstreit wearing blue, as well as a lanyard with the Michigan logo on it, during his son’s weekend official visit has been going viral on social media tonight. Maize & Blue Review’s Trevor McCue shared the picture.
“Michigan QB Chase Herbstreit on his official visit with his family, including father Kirk. The OSU alum wearing blue and supporting his son. I’ve heard a lot of awful stories from recruiting with parents, yeah the rivalry, but maybe just props for being a good dad,” McCue wrote .
For the most part, the photo of Herbie has elicited positive reactions from both sides of the rivalry.
Michigan QB Chase Herbstriet on his official visit with his family, including father Kirk. The OSU alum wearing blue and supporting his son. I’ve heard a lot of awful stories from recruiting with parents, yeah the rivalry, but maybe just props for being a good dad. pic.twitter.com/s3mdL0yIha
— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) February 3, 2025
“Love this! Good for Chase…and great for his parents!” one person said.
“Family is deeper than Football. Good Dad and actually a decent person, who can tell on how a person treats animals,” a second person added, referring to Herbstreit’s beloved dogs.
“The only way to parent,” added longtime FOX broadcaster Tim Brando.
“Kirk’s a good dude and this reinforces it. He gets it ain’t his choice, it’s his kids legacy. Also, future family get togethers are way better this way,” a Michigan fan joked.
“Buckeye fan here. Have no issue (not that it matters) with Kirk wearing that to support his son,” an Ohio State fan said. “TBH, good on him. He probably knew the flack he would get, but we know; blood is thicker than water. He wants the best for his son, and if this is it, then it will be.”
From another angle, it’s also great to see the Herbstreits enjoying themselves and spending quality time together.
Last month, following Ohio State’s win over Notre Dame in the national championship game, Herbstreit revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” that his wife has been battling breast cancer.
“I haven’t really talked about this publicly, but Ali my wife faced some stuff. It’s been a tough year for me behind the scenes,” Herbstreit said .
“My wife got diagnosed with breast cancer, Ben dies, it was just a lot of emotion. And when you do what we do, you endure. You do your job. And I think what happened, I couldn’t predict it, but when they won … it was like almost, I don’t know, maybe a release of all that pent-up stuff. And it just got the best of me. I’m an emotional guy in general and when things touch my heart, I’m not good at talking when that happens.”
We’re wishing Ali Herbstreit the best in her continued fight. Health is way more important than football.
Related: Photo Of Kirk Herbstreit Wearing Michigan Gear Going Viral