Kirk Herbstreit is used to getting backlash for his opinions.
Once you’ve been within the media world for so long as Herbstreit has, you are certain to attract the ire of some followers. Each season, you will discover Herbstreit on social media feuding with completely different fan bases who consider he’s biased in opposition to their college. Irrespective of what number of instances he denies the accusations, Herbstreit cannot dodge them completely.
Throughout a latest look on the Pure Athlete podcast, Herbstreit addressed the concept he has contrived opinions based mostly on what ESPN desires him to say or thinks would trigger essentially the most response.
Not true, Herbstreit mentioned. His takes are all his, and he additionally disputes the notion he and his colleagues are intentionally pro-SEC.
Icon Sportswire/Getty Photos
“You don’t need to agree with them, however they’re pretty educated opinions, however they’re mine,” Herbstreit mentioned. “If we need to disagree, let’s disagree. I’ve no downside with that. However I can guarantee you that my opinions aren’t simply flying by the seat of my pants or ‘What can I say to upset a sure fanbase?’ Like, I’ve by no means executed that — ever. We get accused at ESPN that we love the SEC. I like each staff. I like each convention.
“I went to a Huge Ten college. I used to be the captain at Ohio State; my dad was a captain. I like Ohio State. However I’m not on [ESPN] pushing Ohio State’s agenda or the Huge Ten’s agenda. You’d suppose I’d be accused of being a Huge Ten homer. I suppose for some SEC individuals, possibly they suppose that. I simply watch each recreation, and put together, and discuss with numerous coaches in the course of the week, and offer you a take. The folks that assault me, I’ve come an extended with that, as a result of at first, after I would see that, I don’t need to motive with them … I discovered over time, there’s just a few individuals they need to be mad; they want individuals to assault.”
Herbstreit additionally admitted that the recurring social media fan assaults can get to him.
“None of it sits straightforward with me,” he defined. “My reply to it isn’t get on it, not be part of it, which is a disgrace as a result of I like interacting with followers that take pleasure in regular back-and-forth or ‘Hey, I’ve a query for you.’ I might do that each one day, however I don’t just like the ‘FU,’ ‘I hate you,’ ‘You’ve at all times sucked.’ It’s simply poison to my soul, l and I simply, sadly, it retains me off of that the place it might’t impression me in a detrimental method. All I do is figure, discuss to guys, have opinions, and do the very best job that I can. Once more, I’m not claiming to have all of the solutions, however at the very least I’ve knowledgeable solutions and opinions after I give them.”
Associated: Kirk Herbstreit Reveals The Reality About His Takes At ESPN
