ESPN broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit was visibly emotional after watching his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes, win the championship. college football National Championship playoff game, and now we know why.

Herbstreit appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” where he not only discussed his son’s medical complications, Buckeye tight end Zak Herbstreit went through it, but he also revealed that his wife Ally has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was almost like a perfect storm for me,” Herbstreit told McAfee and his team of his emotions during the postgame show as Ohio State celebrated the victory. “My son had heart failure two years ago and for a while they had been talking about a heart replacement. He had to retire due to illness and I think I was very excited about Ryan Day putting his arm around Zach and getting him involved. Feel grateful.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

ABC football analyst Kirk Herbstreit watches the Oregon Ducks versus the Arizona Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona A college football game between the Arizona State Sun Devils. (Photo by Kevin Abel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“…Ellie, my wife, was facing some things. It was a rough year for me behind the scenes. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, you know (the family dog) Ben passed away. It’s just a lot of emotion, and when you do what we do, you do your job.

“I think what happened, I was happy when they won Ryan Day And those players, from everything they’ve faced and gone through. It’s almost like a relief and it brings out the best in me. “

Ohio State football star Kirk Herbstreit breaks down on broadcast after Buckeyes win national title

The Herbstreiters met while attending Ohio State, where Kirk was a letterman quarterback for four years and Allie was a cheerleader. They had four sons after their marriage, including Zach, who remained with the Buckeyes despite having to retire due to heart failure.

Herbstreit was on the postgame show after joining Chris Fowler to call the Buckeyes a 34-23 win, and Scott Van Pelt was in tears after seeing the Ohio State alumnus After the barking look, he decided to start with him.

Herbstreit didn’t mention what he said to McAfee, but he did discuss the Buckeyes’ resiliency this season.

ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit prior to the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 31, 2022 Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Oh, don’t start with me, man,” Herbstreit, who grew up in Centerville, about an hour’s drive from Ohio State, told Van Pelt on the postgame show. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just excited for these guys.

“I’m very objective when I talk about these games. You know, I like all these Ohio State teams, but this team, because they went through this, you’re happy.”

When the camera cut back to the broadcast room, Herbstreit was spotted grabbing a handkerchief from the camera and wiping tears while Fowler continued to speak.

Kirk Herbstreit watches from the sideline before watching a “Thursday Night Football” game on Amazon Prime on October 5, 2023, at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)

Click here to get the Fox News app

As Herbstreit mentioned, it was a tough year for him personally, but he made it through the college and NFL seasons as he also worked with Al Michaels on Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” .

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.