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ESPN’s top college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said he tested positive for COVID-19 and will call Friday’s Sugar Bowl from home.

The Sugar Bowl is one of two College Football Playoff semifinals. Ohio State will face Clemson in the game, which is set for 8 p.m. ET.



“Earlier this week I tested positive for Covid,” Herbstreit announced Tuesday night on Twitter. “Thankfully I feel good and my family is okay, but going through protocols that will keep me home.”

Kirk Herbstreit to work GameDay

He said he plans to take part in the network’s “College GameDay” in the morning and call the game with Chris Fowler in the evening.

Also late Tuesday, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said he tested positive for the virus and won’t be part of the network’s coverage of the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET) when No. 6 Oklahoma meets No. 7 Florida. He also was scheduled to work the radio coverage of the Rose Bowl, to be played in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday.

“This is my favorite week of the year. I was so excited to head home, to DFW, to call the (Cotton Bowl game) and then to be on the radio call for the (Rose Bowl game),” the former Alabama quarterback tweeted. “Unfortunately, I tested positive for COVID. I’m disappointed, but I feel good and hope to be back soon. Appreciate y’all!”

Herbstreit, 51, has been part of the “College GameDay” crew since he joined the network in 1996. He has won three Sports Emmy Awards for Best Studio Analyst, and in 2018, won the for Outstanding Event Analyst.

Herbstreit wouldn’t miss Sugar Bowl

The Sugar Bowl pairing of No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State hits close to home for Herbstreit. He played quarterback for the Buckeyes from 1989-92, and his twin sons, Jake and Tye, are on the Tigers’ roster.

McElroy, 32, had a brief NFL career before being hired by ESPN in 2014 as an analyst for SEC Network.



–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)