Kirk Herbstreit, chief analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and cohost of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football,” announced the death of his golden retriever Ben, a service dog whose appearances at football stadiums in recent years made him a beloved four-legged friend to the sports world.
Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March and died on Thursday after the cancer spread throughout his organs, Herbstreit said on X. He was 10 human years-old.
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit said. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag.”
Ben had surgery in late July to remove two cancerous masses on his spleen and intestine, Herbstreit said on X in September. He said while it had been a “challenging offseason for Ben,” the dog had an “incredible recovery” in weeks following his surgery.
“Just so thankful he’s feeling better and able to travel with me,” Herbstreit said on X at the time. “Honestly I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to.”
On Oct. 23, Ben had a second chemo injection but weakened afterward, losing the useage of his back legs, Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. Herbstreit took him to a holistic doctor, where he was given a three-day Vitamin C IV that would hopefully “flush the toxics from his body and give him a chance.”
Unfortunately, it didn’t and Herbstreit had to “let him go.”
“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 on X on Monday. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart.”
Ben earned multiple NFL and college football credentials this season after his broadcast-crashing antics. The Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the “Wide Retriever” for a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” game, while the Miami Dolphins titled him the “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” in Week 2.
Penn State gathered some goodies for Ben and called him a “Treat Analyst” just last week, ahead of the Penn State-Ohio State game.
Ben was even present for one of the first matchups of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas. While Herbstreit and his co-analyst Rece Davis spoke, Ben wagged his tail excitedly between them, waiting to be pet. As one viewer commented, “He didn’t even need a square. Ben’s a pro.”
Last year, Herbstreit revealed that Ben could add “certified emotional service animal” to his list of accolades.
“God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years — a true blessing,” Herbstreit wrote.
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