Kirk Herbstreit gathering plenty of social media reaction during 'Thursday Night Football' regular-season debut
Kirk Herbstreit is making his debut alongside Al Michaels in the first regular-season “Thursday Night Football” game on Amazon Prime Video.
Obviously, sports fans have grown used to Herbstreit as a longtime member of ESPN’s “College GameDay” and as half of a commentary pairing with Chris Fowler for some of the network’s biggest college football games, including the College Football Playoff. While Fowler and Herbstreit have called a couple of “Monday Night Football” games together for ESPN, Herbstreit hasn’t had a weekly NFL assignment until being hired by Amazon along with Michaels for “TNF”.
The 2 had a dress rehearsal on Aug. 25 during a preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans, but Thursday’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers was the 1st regular-season game for Herbstreit and Michaels in Amazon’s booth. And while Michaels has been calling the NFL for years, many were left wondering how Herbstreit would fare.
Here’s what fans were saying on social media:
Hearing Kirk Herbstreit on an NFL game is strange, like when your gym teacher had to sub in English class
— Terence Malangone (@SpikeMal) September 16, 2022
Great pair of commentators for Amazon Thursday Night Football in Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit! #TNFonPrime
— Rob Fetsick (@RFetsick) September 16, 2022
Bizarre to hear @KirkHerbstreit on an NFL game. I don‘t hate it. But it feels like it’s suppose to be a Saturday night.
— Allyson (@allysonclark) September 16, 2022
@KirkHerbstreit great first half work Kirk. Could feel the adrenaline a bit, but your energy is very much appreciated and know you’ll settle down.
— Josh Ellington (@joshellington) September 16, 2022
I’ll say it. It’s only @KirkHerbstreit and Al Michaels first game together and they are already a GOAT booth
— .. (@db16__) September 16, 2022
Cris Collinsworth watching Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit pic.twitter.com/br8bqrGoKy
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 16, 2022
I love the Amazon broadcast. Kirk Herbstreit is elite. So crazy how he does all that he does and has time to prepare
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) September 16, 2022
@KirkHerbstreit doing awesome on the play-by-play. Love the fact that you add a new voice with incredible football intelligence. #Amazon #Prime #thursdaynightfootball #TNF
— Marc Case (@MarcACase) September 16, 2022
Am I the only one strangely ok with @KirkHerbstreit doing NFL games?
— BYarb (@blyarb) September 16, 2022
Really hope you keep calling college football @KirkHerbstreit but I’m really enjoying hearing you tonight on this game.
— Jared Woodham (@JaredWoodham) September 16, 2022
@KirkHerbstreit you sure do a great job! Love ur game calling. Keep up good work
— Tim Baker (@tbaker760) September 16, 2022
Wow, the legend Al Michaels and to-be legend @KirkHerbstreit together calling Thursday Night Football. Perfect pairing.
— Böb T (@rolyatjr) September 16, 2022
The Chargers lead the Chiefs, 10-7, at halftime.