Former Ohio State University quarterback Kirk Herbstreit knows all too well the consequences of making a wrong first judgment about a person. As a sports analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay, he has had to eat humble pie on more than one occasion when his initial opinions about a player or team turned out to be incorrect. And during his recent visit to Columbus, he had to do just that when he revisited some of his past opinions about Kansas State quarterback Will Howard.
Herbstreit, an OSU alum, was back in Columbus for the first time this season as part of ESPN’s College GameDay. As he took in the atmosphere of his alma mater, he couldn’t help but reflect on his past judgments about Howard. The young quarterback had caught Herbstreit’s attention during his high school career, but Herbstreit had doubts about his ability to succeed at the college level.
However, as Howard took the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Herbstreit was forced to admit that he was wrong. Despite facing a tough opponent, Howard showed poise and determination, leading his team to an impressive performance. Herbstreit couldn’t help but acknowledge that Howard had proven him wrong and that he was impressed by the young quarterback’s growth and development.
But it wasn’t just Howard who surprised Herbstreit. The Kansas State offense, led by head coach Chip Kelly, also caught his attention. Herbstreit had previously been critical of Kelly’s offense, but as he watched them in action, he couldn’t deny their effectiveness. The offense was well-executed and kept the Buckeyes on their toes throughout the game. Herbstreit had to admit that he was wrong about Kelly’s offense and that it had evolved into a formidable force.
As a former quarterback himself, Herbstreit understands the pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing the position. He knows that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed at the college level, and he has a deep respect for those who are able to do so. That’s why he was quick to give credit where credit was due and acknowledge Howard’s impressive performance.
But Herbstreit’s admission of being wrong is not just about Howard and Kelly’s offense. It’s a reminder to all of us that we should not be quick to judge others. We may make assumptions based on limited information or our own biases, but we should always be open to being proven wrong. Just like Herbstreit, we should be willing to eat humble pie and acknowledge when our initial judgments were incorrect.
In today’s society, where social media and instant reactions are prevalent, it’s easy to make snap judgments about people and situations. But as Herbstreit’s experience shows, those judgments may not always be accurate. We should take the time to get to know people and understand their perspectives before forming an opinion.
Herbstreit’s visit to Columbus also serves as a reminder that growth and development are constant processes. Just like Howard and Kelly’s offense, we should always strive to improve and evolve. We should be open to learning from our mistakes and be willing to change our opinions when presented with new information.
As for Howard, he has proven that he has what it takes to succeed at the college level. His performance against the Buckeyes was a testament to his hard work and determination. And with Herbstreit’s seal of approval, he can continue to grow and develop as a quarterback.
In the end, Herbstreit’s visit to Columbus was not just about football. It was a lesson in humility and the importance of being open-minded. We should all take a page out of Herbstreit’s book and be willing to admit when we are wrong. And who knows, we may just be pleasantly surprised by what we discover.
