Many football fans know Kirk Herbstreit. They hear him every week on TV. He talks about college football and NFL games. But many people also want to know about the woman who has always been by his side. That woman is Alison Butler.
Alison Butler is not a celebrity. She likes a quiet life. She does not spend time in the public eye. Instead she spends her time with her family. She has helped her husband through many years of work while raising their four sons.
In this article you will learn about Alison Butler. We will look at her college days her marriage her family and the life she has built with Kirk Herbstreit. You will also see why so many people respect her.
Who Is Alison Butler?
Alison Butler is best known as Kirk Herbstreit’s wife. Even though her husband is one of the biggest names in football TV she likes to stay private. She does not give interviews and she does not have public social media accounts.
Many fans like Alison because she lives a simple life. She is not looking for fame. She cares most about her family and wants to give them a happy home.
People often say that every successful person has someone strong behind them. For Kirk Herbstreit that person is Alison Butler. She has supported him for many years through both happy and hard times.
Alison Butler’s Early Life
Very little is known about Alison Butler’s early life. She has never shared much about her parents or childhood. She likes to keep those parts of her life private.
One thing we do know is that she studied at Ohio State University. That is where her life changed in a big way. It is also where she met the man she would later marry.
Her college years were full of fun and football. Those years gave her great memories and helped shape the future she enjoys today.
Alison Butler as an Ohio State Cheerleader
Before she became Kirk Herbstreit’s wife Alison Butler was a cheerleader at Ohio State University. She cheered for the Buckeyes during the early 1990s. She loved the school and enjoyed supporting the football team.
Being a cheerleader was not just about cheering during games. It also meant working hard helping the team and showing school spirit. Alison enjoyed every part of it.
There is also a fun football story about Alison. Sports broadcaster Chris Fowler once shared that Alison helped Lee Corso wear the famous Brutus Buckeye mascot head on College GameDay. Today that has become one of the show’s best known traditions.
How Alison Butler Met Kirk Herbstreit
Alison Butler met Kirk Herbstreit when they were both students at Ohio State University. Kirk was the team’s quarterback. Alison was cheering for the team from the sidelines.
The two spent time together at school and soon became close friends. Before long their friendship turned into love. They enjoyed many football games together while building a strong relationship.
Many love stories begin in college. Alison and Kirk’s story is one of them. They met as students and stayed together as they built their future.
Alison Butler and Kirk Herbstreit’s Marriage
After dating for several years Alison Butler and Kirk Herbstreit got married on June 13 1998. They started their married life with love trust and big dreams.
Kirk’s job became very busy. He spent many days traveling across the country to cover football games. While he was away Alison cared for their home and family.
Kirk has often thanked Alison for everything she has done. He once said she is a blessing and that he does not know how she handles everything. His words show how much he loves and respects her.
Alison Butler’s Family Life and Four Sons
Family is the most important part of Alison Butler’s life. She and Kirk have four sons named Jake Tye Zak and Chase. Their home has always been full of love football and family time.
Raising four boys was a busy job. There were school days football games family trips and many happy moments. Alison worked hard to make sure everyone felt loved and cared for.
Even when Kirk was traveling for work Alison stayed strong. She helped her sons grow into kind and hard working young men. Many people say she is the heart of the family.
Alison Butler’s Children and Their Football Journey
Football is a big part of the Herbstreit family. All four sons grew up loving the game just like their parents.
Jake and Tye are twins. They were born in June 2000. Both played football at Clemson University. Jake later moved to Ohio State and finished his studies there. Tye stayed at Clemson and later started working on sports and online projects.
Their third son Zak played football at Ohio State. Sadly he had a serious heart problem and had to stop playing. Even after that he stayed close to the team and found new ways to stay part of football.
The youngest son Chase also became a quarterback. He has worked hard and continues to build his football career. Alison Butler has supported all four of her sons from the very beginning. She has always been there to cheer them on through every win and every challenge.
Alison Butler’s Life in Ohio and Tennessee
After getting married Alison Butler and Kirk Herbstreit lived in Ohio for many years. Ohio was more than just a place to live. It was where they met. It was where their family started. It was also where Kirk built his name in college football.
In 2011 the family made a big change. They moved to Nashville Tennessee. Kirk said the move gave the family more peace and privacy. His job was growing and he wanted a better place to raise his children.
Years later the family spent time in Cincinnati again. Their youngest son Chase was able to attend St. Xavier High School and continue playing football. Even after moving the Herbstreit family always stayed close to their Ohio roots.
Alison Butler’s Health Battle and Family Challenges
Life has not always been easy for Alison Butler and her family. Like many families they have faced hard days together. But they have stayed strong by helping each other.
In 2025 Kirk shared that Alison Butler had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The news touched many football fans. Kirk said it had been one of the hardest times their family had ever faced. Friends fans and people across the football world sent kind messages and prayers.
The family also went through another difficult time when their son Zak had serious heart problems. He had to stop playing football because of his health. It was a painful moment but his family stood beside him every step of the way. Their story shows that family love is often strongest during hard times.
Why Alison Butler Stays Out of the Public Eye
Even though Kirk Herbstreit is on television every week Alison Butler likes a quiet life. She does not look for attention. She does not enjoy being in the spotlight.
She has no public social media pages. She also does very few public events. Instead she spends her time with her husband children and close friends. That is the life she enjoys most.
Many people respect Alison for this choice. Today many people share every part of their lives online. Alison reminds us that it is also okay to live a private and peaceful life.
Alison Butler’s Love for Dogs and Home Life
The Herbstreit family loves dogs. Their golden retrievers are an important part of their home. They have cared for Peter Theo and Mitch. Their beloved dog Ben was also a special part of the family.
Many football fans knew Ben because he often traveled with Kirk during football games. Ben appeared on television and became popular with fans. Sadly Ben passed away in late 2024 after fighting cancer.
Losing Ben was very hard for the family. Kirk shared an emotional message about him. It showed how much Ben meant to everyone. Even through that sad time Alison Butler stayed strong and helped her family heal together.
Final Thoughts
Many people know Kirk Herbstreit because of football. But Kirk often says he could not do his job without Alison Butler. He has thanked her many times for helping their family and supporting his career.
On Mother’s Day Kirk has shared kind messages about Alison. He has called mothers the heart of every family. He has also said Alison is a blessing and that he is thankful for everything she does.
These words tell us a lot about Alison Butler. She does not need awards or headlines. Her family already knows how important she is. That is what matters most to her.
(FAQs)
Is Alison Butler a lawyer?
Kirk Herbstreit’s wife is not known to work as a lawyer. People often confuse her with another woman who has the same name.
Does Alison Butler work for Prologis?
Alison Butler, Kirk Herbstreit’s wife, does not work for Prologis. The Alison Butler at Prologis is a different person.
Was Alison Butler a cheerleader?
Alison Butler was a cheerleader at Ohio State University. That is where she met Kirk Herbstreit while he played quarterback for the football team.
Is Alison Butler an artist or does she work for Devcon?
There is no public information that Kirk Herbstreit’s wife is an artist or works for Devcon. Those are different people with the same name.
Where does Alison Butler live today?
As of 2026, Alison Butler lives a private life with her family. She has strong ties to Nashville, Tennessee, and also spends time in Ohio because of family and football.
You may also read: Who Is Klarissa Munz? The Private Life of Freddie Highmore’s Wife