Kirk Herbstreit criticized for comparing Caleb Williams to animal on air

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 23, 2026, 11:30 PM

Last updated Oct 23, 2026

Kirk Herbstreit criticized for comparing Caleb Williams to animal on air
Summary

Kirk Herbstreit faced backlash during Thursday Night Football while discussing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. With the Bears leading the New England Patriots 3-0, Herbstreit described Williams as ‘like a bucking bronco’ needing to be trained, which drew criticism for its insensitivity. Social media responses highlighted concerns over the use of animal metaphors in describing Black athletes. This isn't the first time Herbstreit has faced scrutiny for comments on Williams, as previous remarks also sparked debate about his perspective on the quarterback's discipline. Analysts recommend a focus on direct critiques rather than potentially offensive metaphors moving forward.

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  • •Herbstreit made comments during Thursday Night Football.
  • •Bears led Patriots 3-0 at the time of the remarks.
  • •Critics call out the insensitivity of his language.
  • •Previous questionable comments about Williams also criticized.
  • •Analysts suggest avoiding animal comparisons in analysis.
Latest Updates
  • 11:30 PMYahoo Sports — Kirk Herbstreit facing criticism for referring to Caleb Williams as ‘a bucking bronco’
What they're saying
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Prime Video NFL analyst Kirk Herbstreit could have chosen a better metaphor when describing Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during Thursday Night Football. The Bears led the New England Patriots 3-0 and were on the verge of scoring a touchdown late in the first quarter when Herbstreit and play-by-play partner Al Michaels began breaking down…

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