Kirk Herbstreit announces the death of his dog Ben, beloved for crash football broadcasts

On November 8, 2024By Littum

Kirk Herbstreit, chief analyst on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and co-host of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football,” announced the death of his golden retriever Ben, whose appearances in football stadiums in recent years made him a beloved four-legged friend of the sports world.

Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March and died 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-curious-and welcoming to everyone. Always a big smile and a soft tail wagging.”

Ben underwent surgery in late July to remove two cancerous masses on his spleen and intestine, Herbstreit said on X in September. He said that while it had been a “challenging offseason for Ben”, the dog was making an “incredible recovery” in the weeks following his surgery.

“Just so thankful that he’s doing better and can 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 received another chemo injection, but was weakened afterward and lost the use 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 toxins out of his body and give him a chance.”

Unfortunately, it did not, and Herbstreit had to “let him go”.

Leg. — Kirk Herbstreit and his dog Ben on Oct. 5 in Fayetteville, Ark.Michael Woods / AP File

“I’m so grateful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last few years. One of the hardest things I’ve been through in my life,” Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all my heart.”

Ben earned more NFL and college football credentials this season after his broadcast crash antics. The Atlanta Falcons awarded Ben the “Wide Retriever” for a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” while the Miami Dolphins gave him the title of “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” in Week 2.

Penn State collected some goodies for Ben, calling him a “Treat Analyst” last week, prior to the Penn State-Ohio State game.

Ben was even in attendance for one of the first games of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas. As Herbstreit and his fellow analyst Rece Davis talked, Ben wagged his tail excitedly between them, waiting to be petted. As one viewer commented, “He didn’t even need a square. Ben is a pro.”