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Short Shorts, Long Kicks: The Viral Tate Sandell Shirt That Even Kirk Herbstreit Loves

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Short Shorts, Long Kicks The Viral Tate Sandell Shirt That Even Kirk Herbstreit Loves
20
Dec

The Moment That Started It All

During the Oklahoma–Tennessee game on November 1, ABC color commentator Kirk Herbstreit could not ignore one unusual detail about Sooners kicker Tate Sandell: his extremely short shorts. Herbstreit jokingly said on air that Sandell’s game-day look “should be a penalty,” clearly stunned to see a kicker in almost Daisy Duke–style shorts instead of traditional football pants. The comment instantly caught fans’ attention and began spreading online as a lighthearted viral moment.

From Viral Comment To Iconic Slogan 

Sandell didn’t just stand out for his outfit; he backed it up with elite performances on the field. By the time the College Football Playoff rolled around, Sandell was 24-of-25 on field goals and a perfect 8-of-8 from 50-plus yards, earning the prestigious Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker. That combination of bold style and clutch kicking inspired a graphic tee that captured the whole story in a few perfect words.

The shirt design features Sandell alongside two standout phrases taken from the viral moment: “Short Shorts, Long Kicks” and “Flag That, Herbstreit“. It turns Herbstreit’s joking criticism into a badge of honor, celebrating both Sandell’s confidence and his consistency under pressure.

College GameDay Puts The Shirt In The Spotlight

The shirt went from clever idea to full-on sensation when Pat McAfee showcased it on ESPN’s *College GameDay* in Norman, Oklahoma, ahead of the Alabama–Oklahoma CFP matchup. As McAfee highlighted Oklahoma’s special teams, he held up the tee that playfully called out Herbstreit’s earlier comments. The visual of the shirt, paired with the now-famous quotes, quickly circulated across social media and sports media outlets.

Herbstreit’s reaction made the moment even better. Instead of brushing it off, he laughed and said, “I love that. That’s great,” clearly appreciating the joke at his own expense. That approval helped push the shirt beyond simple fan merch and into a kind of inside joke shared by announcers, players, and fans alike.

Herbstreit And Sandell: From Joke To Mutual Respect

What could have stayed a one-off wisecrack evolved into a story of mutual respect between analyst and athlete. Herbstreit later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he loved the shirt and revealed that he and Sandell had spoken. In that post, he called himself a “MASSIVE fan” of Sandell, adding one last playful jab that he only wished Sandell would wear actual football pants.

That exchange turned the shirt into more than just a meme. It now represents how a lighthearted critique, combined with elite performance and a sense of humor, can bring the sport’s community closer together. Fans are not just wearing a gag; they are wearing a story about personality, performance, and the modern culture of college football.

Why This Shirt Belongs In Every Sooners Fan’s Closet

Beyond the jokes, this shirt taps into what makes college football so uniquely entertaining. It celebrates:

– A record-setting kicker who delivers in big moments.
– A bold fashion choice that stands out on a traditional stage.
– A national analyst who can laugh at his own words and embrace the fun of the game.

For Oklahoma fans, it’s a perfect way to show pride in Sandell’s Lou Groza–winning season and the Sooners’ spotlight on the national stage. For neutral college football fans, it’s a fun, conversation-starting piece that captures one of the most memorable sideline stories of the year.

If you want to wear the same phrase that lit up College GameDay and social media, you can grab the “Sooners Tate Sandell Short Shorts Flag That Herbstreit Long Kicks” Shirt directly here: https://grishko.com/product/sooners-tate-sandell-short-shorts-flag-that-herbstreit-long-kicks-shirt/

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