ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced a heartbreaking update today: his service dog Ben, a beloved favorite among college football fans, has died.
The news comes days after Herbstreit wrote that Ben’s health was in decline and asked people to send prayers.
Herbstreit, a college football analyst and sportscaster on ESPN and Amazon Prime, announced the heartbreaking news today that his service dog had passed on, humanely euthanized after battling cancer.
“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know,” Herbstreit wrote on social media. “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 1,” the sportscaster wrote in a touching tribute. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion.”
He concluded that while it was a “hard day,” that the golden retriever would “live within us all forever.” “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. “Love you Ben.”
Ben wasn’t just loved by his owner but by college football fans across the country. The golden retriever was known for accompanying Herbstreit to game days, much to the delight of the crowds.
“He’ll stop by a tailgate, and people are like, ‘Oh, my God, look! It’s Ben! Ben’s here!’ It’s the funniest thing to see the reaction from people,” Herbstreit told The Athletic last year.
Herbstreit also said that Ben, a certified emotional support animal, brought him comfort when he is away from home, and has helped him get through difficult times, like when his son Zak was hospitalized with a heart condition.
On November 4, Herbstreit wrote that Ben’s health was “getting worse and worse.” The dog underwent chemotherapy and was receiving holistic treatments, and was unable to walk and not eating.
“If you’re a spiritual person I’d love for you to pray for my boy,” Herbstreit wrote. “Please pray for Ben and hope he pulls out of it.”
Rest in peace to Ben, the sweet companion to Kirk Herbstreit and a beloved favorite among so many football fans — he will never be forgotten 💔🌈
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