ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit was overcome after his alma mater Ohio State won the national championship. On air after the 34-23 win by the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, the 55-year-old broadcaster attributed the need to reach for a tissue to his close ties to the team — but in a guest spot on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday,

Kirk Herbstreit pulled back the curtains on why he was so emotional after Ohio State’s national championship win over Notre Dame on Monday night.

Fans are praying for Kirk Herbstreit and his family following some heartbreaking personal news. The ESPN broadcaster attracted rife criticism after Ohio State beat Notre Dame to win the National Championship on Monday night, especially because he could not hold the tears back during the postgame segment on SportsCenter.