Kirk Herbstreit’s Tumultuous Months: SEC Bias, Social Media Confusion & Michigan Colors Controversy
Kirk Herbstreit has been navigating a storm of controversies over the past few months, from personal losses to heated college football debates. Between SEC favoritism allegations, social media contradictions, and Ohio State fans fuming over his Michigan-colored support, the ESPN analyst has been in the hot seat.
Social Media Rollercoaster: On or Off?
Herbstreit recently declared he was done with social media, citing its toxicity. However, he later responded to fans on X (formerly Twitter), causing backlash for his contradictory statements. Fans quickly pulled up a clip where he previously insisted he didn’t have a Twitter account. His explanation? He needed a break for his mental health, and his son handled his posts during that time.
SEC Favoritism Allegations Resurface
Had a lot going on with my family and found it best for my own mental health to avoid the trolls and people with bad intentions. So just decided to avoid the noise during that period. My son posted a few things for me once in awhile. Did that interview with Andy and Ari when I… https://t.co/NL0v1nsQVk
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 4, 2025
Critics have long accused ESPN—and by extension, Herbstreit—of favoring SEC teams over others. Things escalated when he suggested that Ole Miss, Alabama, and South Carolina deserved more attention than SMU and other smaller programs. His response?
> “We love stories, not conferences. If I’ve added to the perception of SEC favoritism, I apologize. That’s not my intention at all.”
But with ratings for this year’s College Football Playoff final falling short of expectations, many questioned whether big-brand bias is actually backfiring.
The Michigan Colors Scandal: Betrayal or Family First?
Perhaps the most shocking moment for Ohio State fans was seeing Herbstreit in Michigan colors. When his son Chase Herbstreit enrolled at Michigan, Kirk proudly supported him—much to the outrage of Buckeye fans. Given his deep ties to Ohio State (his father captained the Buckeyes, and he played QB for them in 1989), the sight of him in maize and blue felt like a betrayal to many.
What’s Next for Herbstreit?
With everything from personal tragedies to college football drama, Herbstreit now says he’s stepping back from negativity and focusing on his mental health and well-being. But let’s be honest—this is college football. And drama is inevitable.