Kirk Herbstreit Criticizes Trolls Accusing ESPN of Bias
Kirk Herbstreit, a prominent college football analyst, has launched a strong defense against allegations of bias at ESPN toward the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During an episode of the “Nonstop” podcast, Herbstreit expressed his frustration towards critics who claim he and his colleagues favor the SEC due to ESPN’s lucrative contract with the conference.
Kirk Herbstreit Responds to Critics
Responding to accusations, Herbstreit stated, “These idiots say, ‘How much do people pay you to say this bulls–t?’ F-off.” He emphasized his commitment to college football and expressed disinterest in the SEC’s influence, stating, “I don’t give a s–t about the SEC. I give a s–t about where these teams are going to come.” He finds the selection process for the College Football Playoff teams intriguing.
College Football Playoff Rankings
Recently, the College Football Playoff brackets announced by ESPN features five SEC teams: Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Texas A&M. Georgia and Alabama are currently within the playoff bracket.
Hate from Fans
Herbstreit has faced backlash from different college football fanbases over the years. He highlighted the ire directed at him from Florida State fans in 2024 and previously from Ohio State supporters. He attributes this negativity to a misunderstanding of his evaluation criteria.
Understanding the SEC’s Strength
He remarked, “Everybody recognizes the depth and the challenge of the SEC.” Herbstreit acknowledged that while some may dislike the conference, acknowledging its reality is crucial for understanding the sport. “You can live in a fake world,” he added.
Future of SEC and ESPN
With ESPN’s broadcasting agreement with the SEC valid until 2034, it is likely that Herbstreit will continue to confront these criticisms in the future. The ongoing discussions about college football rankings and the playoff process make this an enduring topic in the sport.
