In Memory of Ben: Kirk Herbstreit’s Beloved Golden Retriever

Kirk Herbstreit’s cherished golden retriever, Ben, who captured the hearts of sports enthusiasts with his adorable appearances during college football and NFL broadcasts, passed away on Thursday at the age of 10. Sadly, Ben had been diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma back in March, and despite the efforts made, the cancer spread throughout his organs.

In a heartfelt tribute on X, Herbstreit, who is a renowned analyst for ESPN’s college football coverage as well as an NFL commentator for Amazon Prime, shared, “I’ve had dogs my whole life, but Ben was 1 (of) 1. He was smart, loving, gentle, patient, inquisitive, and welcoming to all. Always had a big smile and a soft tail wag.”

Ben first made his debut on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in November 2021, during a special episode at the University of Cincinnati for a game against Tulsa. Since the Herbstreit family resides in Cincinnati, it was a natural choice for Ben to accompany Kirk to Nippert Stadium that day. Just a month prior, in October, Ben had joined Herbstreit on a work trip to Seattle, marking his introduction to the professional sports scene.

Herbstreit later recounted to The Athletic that his family was navigating a challenging period at that time, including the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son, Zak, due to a heart condition. Ben became a source of comfort for Herbstreit amidst the turmoil of being away from his family.

“We happily accommodate our lives around Ben and whatever it is he needs,” Herbstreit remarked to 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.”

Over the years, Ben has been given numerous playful titles and credentials by various NFL and college football teams. This season, the Atlanta Falcons designated him the “Wide Retriever” for their Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” game, while the Miami Dolphins honored him with the title of “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” during Week 2. Additionally, Penn State affectionately labeled him a “Treat Analyst” ahead of the recent “GameDay” show featuring the Penn State–Ohio State matchup.

In late July, Ben underwent surgery to remove two cancerous masses from his spleen and intestine. Though the prognosis was uncertain, Herbstreit shared on X in September that Ben made an “incredible recovery” in the following weeks. He expressed his gratitude, stating how thankful he was that Ben was feeling better and able to travel alongside him once again.

“Honestly, I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to,” Herbstreit noted on X at the time. “We 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 continued to be a part of historic moments, including the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas for one of the first matchups of the 2024 college football season. In the booth, he playfully sauntered between Herbstreit and co-analyst Rece Davis, eagerly seeking affection as his tail wagged in excitement.

However, on October 23, Ben received a second chemotherapy injection, which left him weakened and unable to use his back legs, as Herbstreit later shared on X. In an effort to support Ben, Herbstreit sought the expertise of a holistic doctor, where he received a three-day Vitamin C IV treatment.

Herbstreit expressed his deep gratitude for the overwhelming love and support Ben has received from fans and friends over the past couple of years. “One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life,” he wrote. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart.”