The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame, 34-23, in the national title game. After the game, Herbstreit broke down into tears when talking about how inspiring this Ohio State run through the playoff was after losing to Michigan earlier in the season. That would be all well and good, except for the fact that Herbstreit played quarterback for OSU from 1989-1993.

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 called it a “perfect storm of emotion” a day after he went viral for crying on an ESPN broadcast following Ohio State’s CFP national championship win over Notre Dame. The college football analyst joined “The Pat McAfee Show,” and was asked about the moment. Herbstreit revealed it was a tough personal year for his family.

Look: ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit reveals why he got emotional on Sports Center following Ohio State football's national championship:

When asked about the Buckeyes’ 34-23 win over Notre Dame, the ESPN analyst, who also quarterbacked Ohio State from 1989-93 and has a son currently on the team, became emotional and wiped away tears during the network’s postgame show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Kirk Herbstreit addressed his tears that were seen on the ESPN broadcast after Ohio State won the national title, when he revealed his wife, Ally, was diagnosed with breast cancer.