ESPN Host Says Emotional Farewell to Family Member, a ‘Majestic Soul’

Kirk Herbstreit, the popular ESPN college football and Amazon Prime NFL analyst, announced Thursday in an emotional post on social media that his Golden Retriever, Ben, died after a battle with cancer. Ben, 10, had become a sensation for football fans for all the air time he got over the years.

Herbstreit said Ben’s cancer had spread to all of his organs.

“I’ve had dogs all my life, but Ben was 1 on 1,” wrote Herbstreit on a post with a photo of him and Ben on what appears to be a golf cart. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-curious-and welcoming to everyone. Always a big smile and a soft tail wagging. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each other’s backs. He was with me more than anyone else at home and traveled with me to work.Such a relaxed companion.

“Tough day – but he will live in us all forever. God 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 and Herbstreit were inseparable. Ben traveled to the various games the analyst worked on and made frequent on-air appearances. According to The AthleticBen first came to Herbstreit in 2021 on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

Herbstreit wrote in September that Ben was diagnosed with leukemia in March and subsequently had two masses removed. He had an “incredible recovery,” Herbstreit said. On Nov. 4he said Ben “got worse and worse” after he had a second chemotherapy injection on October 23. Herbstreit said he was in Pennsylvania with a holistic doctor for treatments as a last resort.