Kirk Herbstreit's dog "Ben" has died

Kirk Herbstreit, the chief analyst on ESPN's "College GameDay" and a co-host of "Thursday Night Football," announced the death of his golden retriever, Ben, a service dog whose appearances at football stadiums in recent years made him a beloved four-legged friend to 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-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag."Ben had 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 had an "incredible recovery" in weeks after his surgery.

"Just so thankful he’s feeling better and able to 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 had a second chemo injection but weakened afterward, losing the use of his back legs, Herbstreit wrote Monday on X. Herbstreit took him to a holistic doctor, and he was given a three-day Vitamin C IV that would hopefully “flush the toxics from his body and give him a chance.”

Unfortunately, it didn't, and Herbstreit had to "let him go."

"I’m so thankful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last couple years. One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life," Herbstreit wrote Monday on X. "Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart."Ben earned multiple NFL and college football credentials this season after his broadcast-crashing antics. The Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the "Wide Retriever" for a Week 5 "Thursday Night Football" game, while the Miami Dolphins titled him the "Chief Happiness Officer of Football" in Week 2.

Penn State gathered some goodies for Ben and called him a "Treat Analyst" just last week, ahead of the Penn State-Ohio State game.Ben was even present for one of the first matchups of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-Southern California game in Las Vegas. While Herbstreit and his co-analyst, Rece Davis, spoke, Ben wagged his tail excitedly between them, waiting to be pet. A viewer commented, "He didn't even need a square. Ben's a pro."

Last year, Herbstreit revealed that Ben could add "certified emotional service animal" to his list of accolades."God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years — a true blessing," he wrote.

What a beautiful doggie.

He even had his own press credentials!

Ben steals the show....

Diagnosed with cancer 9 months ago and not euthanized. That unfortunate animal was not going to recover. Cancer among its breed is common.

Selfish fucker.

When I lost my first dog, he was 19 and was fine right up to the last year. Then he went downhill quickly. I agree it is selfish to keep a dog alive if they are suffering or in pain, and got my husband to agree (dog came before him) that we would euthamize the dog if and when this happened.

From what I understand, being a vet is extremely difficult nowadays because people want you to keep them alive through any means and cannot accept it is just an animal, there are limitations to what they can do, and that when they are dying, and you need to know when to get out of the way when Gad is calling them home. I thought being a hairdresser was a challenge!

We don’t own the animals, only lease them and are responsible for stewarding them their entire lives- the difficult part is we make room in our hearts for them, which makes it hard to let them go.

Death is part of life, Grieving is a process, please don’t get another animal unless you are ready and have the means, and consider fostering an older animal before getting a puppy- my little guy was 8 when I got him and lived another 11 years.

A friend in NYC with a 15 yo cancer rìdden lab was offered organic chemotherapy by the vet. He told me and I said thsts a load of bollix. I said dog unfortunately had to be put down. European grew up on farm. Love animals but you have to face facts.

[quote] Herbstreit revealed that Ben could add "certified emotional service animal" to his list of accolades.

Ridiculous.

Retrievers are very prone to cancer, cutting off years from their lifespan. Sad.

But someone said that’s new, that they used to go 15+ yrs?

R8, wasn't " certified emotional service animal" what the frat boys called you in college?

The press credentials are from late September and the first week of October so Ben must have felt well enough to travel.

His press credentials are so cute.

He's there for the "Barkcast."

Ben is the "Chief Happiness Officer of Football."

Ben Herbstreit is a "Wide Retriever."

And he's allowed in the "Backyard," the "Front Porch," and the "Dog House," but not the "Couch."

So adorable.