Kirk Herbstreit has increasingly found himself becoming a more polarizing figure across college football.
The ESPN broadcaster has drawn disdain from fans who disagree with his opinions. Herbstreit was among the most prominent voices defending the College Football Playoff selection committee’s controversial decision to leave out an undefeated Florida State in 2023, and he argued that Indiana didn’t deserve a spot in the last postseason.
Appearing on the Pure Athlete podcast, Herbstreit said it’s “really tough” handling backlash from disgruntled fans. However, he assured everyone that he never says anything just to stir the pot.
“I’m a pleaser by nature. I try to be a voice of reason. I try to be fair,” Herbstreit said (h/t Awful Announcing). “In this era of television, there’s a lot of what you see in politics. When you’re watching TV, you see it in sports. There’s a lot of shock jock. There’s a lot of ‘What can I say to try to be trending, to be on social media? What outlandish thing can I say to get out there?’ I’ve never done that. I never will.”
Herbstreit added that in nearly 30 decades, ESPN hasn’t pressured him to make a divisive hot take for attention.
“ESPN’s never asked me to have a side. ‘You need to say this for our sake.’ Never had that one time in 29 years,” Herbstreit claimed. “So, I just really do a lot of work. I talk to a lot of people. I prepare. I never, ever try to talk down to the viewers.”
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Herbstreit doesn’t think everyone must accept his beliefs as gospel, but he feels he’s experienced enough to have an informed stance. The former Ohio State player also denied having an SEC or any other bias.
“I watch almost every single game every Saturday for 29 years. And so, I give you opinions,” Herbstreit said. “You don’t have to agree with them, but they’re fairly educated opinions, but they’re mine. If we want to disagree, let’s disagree. I have no problem with that. But I can assure you that my opinions aren’t just flying by the seat of my pants or ‘What can I say to upset a certain fanbase?’ Like, I’ve never done that — ever.”
While Herbstreit enjoys conversing with level-headed fans, he called the current vitriol prevalent on social media “poison to my soul.” He returned from an online hiatus but still tries to steer clear of negative comments.
“All I do is work, talk to guys, have opinions, and do the best job that I can,” Herbstreit said. “Again, I’m not claiming to have all the answers, but at least I have informed answers and opinions when I give them.”
Related: Kirk Herbstreit Makes Sad Admission About His Childhood
