Kirk Herbstreit’s dog Ben, beloved for crashing CFB, NFL broadcasts, dies at 10

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Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retriever Ben, who was beloved by sports fans for his broadcast crash appearances at college football stadiums and NFL games in recent years, died Thursday at age 10.

Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March, and Herbstreit — the ESPN college football and Amazon Prime NFL analyst — said Thursday that the cancer spread through Ben’s organs.

“I’ve had dogs all my life, but Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-curious-and welcoming to everyone. Always a big smile and a soft wagging tail.”

Ben first joined Herbstreit on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in November 2021, when the show traveled to the University of Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ game against Tulsa. The Herbstreits live in Cincinnati, so Ben made the trip to the local Nippert Stadium that day. He first hit the road for a work trip shortly before that in October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit told Athletics in December 2023 that his family was going through a difficult time at the time, including the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son Zak due to a heart condition, and Ben gave Herbstreit comfort while he was away from his family.

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“We happily accommodate our lives around Ben and whatever he needs,” Herbstreit shared Athletics. “I report to Ben, that’s kind of how it works. Everyone else reports to my wife and I, and we report to Ben.”

Ben has had many NFL and college football credentials made in his name since. This season, the Atlanta Falcons awarded Ben “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 labeled him a “Treatment Analyst” before Saturday’s “GameDay” show prior to Penn State–Ohio State.

Ben underwent surgery at the end of July to remove two cancerous masses on his spleen and intestine, Herbstreit said on X in September. Herbstreit said that Ben made an “incredible recovery” in the weeks that followed and that he was “just so grateful that (Ben’s) feeling better and being able to travel with me.”


Kirk Herbstreit cuddles Ben before the Ole Miss-Georgia game on Nov. 11, 2023. (Photo: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“Honestly, I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to,” Herbstreit told X at the time. “Will keep a close eye on him and respond accordingly. He had a GREAT Week 1. He took it one week at a time.”

Ben helped cover one of the first games of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas. In the booth, Ben sauntered between Herbstreit and his fellow analyst Rece Davis — his tail visible in the frame, wagging — waiting for pets from the two.

On Oct. 23, Ben underwent another chemo injection, but was weakened afterward and lost the use of his back legs, Herbstreit wrote on X Monday. Herbstreit took Ben to a holistic doctor, where he was given a three-day vitamin C IV, he said.

“I am 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. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all my heart.”

(Photo: Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)