Kirk Herbstreit’s partner-in-crime and widely beloved golden retriever Ben died this week at the age of 10, the ESPN personality announced on Thursday.
Ben was a fixture on College GameDay and ESPN’s broadcasts with Herbstreit in the call, joining his companion on the field and in the booth. He was undergoing treatment for cancer throughout the year and received an outpouring of support from fans.
“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 said in a post 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. 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. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years-a true blessing. Love you Ben.”
Ben made his first College GameDay appearance in 2021 and became a fixture on ESPN broadcasts in 2023. He was a certified emotional support animal and accompanied Herbstreit as he dealt with a difficult family issue, his son Zak’s hospitalization due to a heart condition, per USA TODAY.