Kirk Herbstreit botches Kirby Smart’s name, immediately faces backlash
By Keith Farner
Published:
Kirk Herbstreit caught the brunt of criticism from Georgia fans and the greater college football world when he botched Kirby Smart’s name midway through the second quarter of the Peach Bowl.
Herbstreit referred to Smart as “Kirby Smith” and he was immediately criticized by fans on social media. Herbstreit, who played at Ohio State, routinely faces accusations that he favors the Buckeyes, and this example gave fans another reason to call him out.
Herbstreit and play-by-play voice Chris Fowler have called all 9 years of the College Football Playoff era, and are household voices for college football fans.
Here’s a sample of the reaction:
Who the fuck is Kirby Smith?! Herb is drunk!
— Joe sweat (@JoeSweat21) January 1, 2023
Kirby Smith, head coach of UGA. Come on Kirk! #GoDawgs
— SicEmDawgs.com (@SicEmDawgscom) January 1, 2023
Who’s Kirby Smith? #GeorgiaBulldogs pic.twitter.com/vlP4YzwE0o
— Husker Gnome (@TheHuskerGnome) January 1, 2023
“Kirby Smith”???? Are you dumb or stupid???
— Kurvy Smart (@26_SAVage_) January 1, 2023
Did that announcer call Kirby Smart Kirby Smith? Wow! #CFBPlayoff #ugavsosu #GoDawgs
— ThomasDBradley (@ThomasDBradley) January 1, 2023
Hurby called Kirby “Kirby Smith” lol. The defending championship HC name wrong ??
— EndoCanes (@EndoGains) January 1, 2023
Nice job Kirk Herbstreit
Kirby Smith??— Debbie Malphrus (@malphrus_d) January 1, 2023
@KirkHerbstreit get our coach’s name right. It’s Kirby SMART, not SMITH. Apology needed immediately you Ohio State fanatic!!
— Erin Gilmer (@erinsgilmer) January 1, 2023
Kirby Smith was a Civil War general.
— David Bulla (@d_bulla) January 1, 2023
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
