Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retriever Ben, who became beloved by sports fans for his broadcast-crashing appearances at college football stadiums and NFL games in recent years, died Thursday at age 10.
Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March, and Herbstreit — the ESPN college football and Amazon Prime NFL analyst — said Thursday the cancer spread throughout Ben’s organs.
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag.”
This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go. I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Ben first joined Herbstreit on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in November 2021, when the show traveled to the University of Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ game against Tulsa. The Herbstreits live in Cincinnati, so Ben made the trip to the local Nippert Stadium that day. He first hit the road for a work trip shortly before that in October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit told The Athletic in December 2023 that his family was going through a difficult time then, including the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son Zak due to a heart condition, and Ben provided Herbstreit comfort while away from his family.
“We happily accommodate our lives around Ben and whatever it is he needs,” Herbstreit told The Athletic. “I report to Ben, is kind of how it works. Everyone else reports to my wife and I, and we report to Ben.”
Ben has had many NFL and college football credentials made in his name since. This season, the Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the “Wide Retriever” for a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” game, while the Miami Dolphins gave him the title of “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” in Week 2. Penn State labeled him a “Treat Analyst” before this past Saturday’s “GameDay” show ahead of Penn State–Ohio State.
Ben had surgery in late July to remove two cancerous masses on his spleen and intestine, Herbstreit said on X in September. Herbstreit said Ben had an “incredible recovery” in the weeks that followed and that he was “just so thankful (Ben’s) feeling better and able to travel with me.”
“Honestly I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to,” Herbstreit said on X at the time. “Will keep a very close eye on him and react accordingly. He had a GREAT Week 1. Taking it one week at a time.”
Ben helped ring in one of the first matchups of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas. In the booth, Ben sauntered between Herbstreit and his co-analyst Rece Davis —his tail could be seen in the frame, wagging — awaiting pets from the two.
.@KirkHerbstreit‘s dog, Ben, made his way onto the LSU-USC pregame show 🐶😂 pic.twitter.com/BetPuCpvcl
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2024
On Oct. 23, Ben underwent a second chemo injection but weakened afterward, losing the use of his back legs, Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. Herbstreit took Ben to a holistic doctor, where he was given a three-day Vitamin C IV, he said.
“I’m so thankful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last couple years. One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life,” Herbstreit wrote. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart.”
(Photo: Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
