Kirk Herbstreit on TNF (Photo via Amazon Prime)
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit received heartbreaking news after calling this week’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ fixture between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins.

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Herbstreit, who joined Al Michaels in the booth for the game and was right next to him when he used the contest to throw shade at the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, got a text he definitely wasn’t expecting, as it marked a devastating loss.

The Bills beat the Dolphins 31-21, but the matchup wasn’t as close as the scoreline suggests. The Dolphins were right in it until Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception nearing the end of the fourth quarter.

The Fins were one score away from tying things up before Terrel Bernard picked the Miami quarterback off to hand them a third straight loss on the season.

Josh Allen had another incredible outing, but is believed to have gotten away with a game-changing mistake.

Kirk Herbstreit Received Heartbreaking Text During ‘TNF’

Kirk Herbstreit (Photo By Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

After the game, Herbstreit revealed he received a text informing him of his friend’s death while calling the fixture. He took to X to disclose that songwriter Brett James, a close friend who performed at his 50th birthday party, died in a plane crash.

“Was calling a game last night when I got the news on a text that Brett was in a plane crash and didn’t make it. Living in Nashville, I’ve been very fortunate to meet a lot of incredible people…Brett was certainly that-one of the most talented and yet humble and down to earth guys I’ve met,” he wrote.

“He was a legend as a songwriter and one of the most respected people in that town. He sang at my 50th along with Casey Beathard-such a good man. Just heartbreaking-my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they cope with this unthinkable reality.”

“Condolences on the loss of your friend and to the family of Brett James. My he rest in eternal peace. 😔 🙏🏼 💐,” someone wrote in the comments.

“He was an incredible talent. Prayers to his wife and surviving family members,” wrote another.

“Oh man, Prayers up!” said a third.

Fans also sympathized with Kirk Herbstreit after he announced a deeply personal loss late last year.

Brett James, meanwhile, was a Grammy Award-winning writer who penned Carrie Underwood’s hit, ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’. He had been credited on 494 recordings throughout his career and released a few singles himself that made the top 40 on the Hot Country Songs charts.

Authorities revealed that the plane he was on crashed near the Iotla Valley Elementary School in North Carolina. Two other people were on board; there were no survivors.