Kirk Herbstreit has had enough of poor fan behavior, and he didn’t hold back when addressing it during Alabama’s dominant victory over LSU on Saturday. Herbstreit, who was in the booth for ABC calling the game, used his platform to express his frustration with fans who resorted to throwing bottles onto the field at Tiger Stadium during the third quarter of Alabama’s 42-13 rout of LSU.
It was an emotional day for Herbstreit, who was already dealing with personal loss, and witnessing the behavior of the crowd only added to his dismay.
“Why does that have to become a thing this year?” Herbstreit asked, clearly exasperated by the situation. “Some idiots did this at Texas, and now we’re seeing it pop up across college football. Enough’s enough, clowns. Just — what are you doing? This is just stupid.”
The incident occurred after an LSU facemask penalty nullified what would have been a crucial third-down sack while the Tigers were trailing 21-6. In response, frustrated LSU fans began throwing bottles into the end zone, forcing a delay in the game as stadium staff, security officers, and even cheerleaders worked to clear the debris. The moment was chaotic, and it reflected poorly on the LSU fan base.
Alabama quickly took advantage of the extended break and the penalty, driving down the field to score a touchdown and extend their lead to 28-6, effectively sealing the game. The Crimson Tide never looked back, delivering a convincing win over their SEC rivals.
Herbstreit’s anger with the bottle-throwing incident wasn’t without precedent. Earlier in the year, a similar situation occurred during a game between Texas and Georgia, where Texas fans threw objects onto the field after a controversial pass interference call against the Longhorns was overturned in Georgia’s favor. These incidents have left Herbstreit increasingly frustrated with what he perceives as a troubling trend in college football.
“It’s great. That’s your home cheerleader, just out there trying to do their job, and now they’re cleaning up bottles. Just embarrassing for LSU, embarrassing for college football, and frankly, embarrassing for everyone who loves this game,” Herbstreit added as he watched the cheerleaders help clear the litter. “Enough’s enough.”
The broadcast was particularly emotional for Herbstreit, as Saturday marked his first college game since the passing of his beloved Golden Retriever, Ben. Ben had been a loyal companion to Herbstreit, often accompanying him across the country to some of college football’s biggest matchups, including SEC showdowns like the Alabama-LSU game. Ben had become somewhat of a mascot for Herbstreit, and his presence at games was a comforting constant.
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During the broadcast, ABC aired a video tribute to Ben, narrated by Herbstreit himself. The package showed tender moments between Herbstreit and Ben, capturing their travels and the joy they shared during their time on the road together. It was a moving segment, and it visibly affected Herbstreit as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t properly lead to this beautiful tribute the @CollegeGameDay put together,” Herbstreit later wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Really wanted to thank all of you for the avalanche of love and support you’ve shown Ben. It gives me and my family such comfort knowing how he impacted so many people’s lives around the country. He was a beautiful and loving soul.”
Herbstreit’s connection to college football goes far beyond simply calling games. He genuinely cares about the sport, its traditions, and the community it brings together. His frustration with unruly fan behavior stems from his deep respect for the game and the belief that it should be enjoyed in a positive and respectful manner.
The tribute to Ben was a reminder of the human side of the sport, and Herbstreit’s vulnerability only made his words about the fan behavior carry more weight.
As college football continues, Herbstreit’s message is one that resonates with many—there’s no place for dangerous and disrespectful behavior in the sport.
For him, the memories made at college football games should be about the joy of competition and the community it fosters, not marred by the actions of a few irresponsible individuals.
