College football world mourns passing of Kirk Herbstreit's beloved dog Ben
By Austen Bundy
The college football world lost a very good boy on Thursday. Ben Herbstreit, the always loyal golden retriever companion of ESPN's College GameDay host Kirk Herbstreit, passed away after his battle with cancer.
Herbstreit announced Ben's passing in a touching post on X, saying "he will live within all of us forever" and expressing his thanks for the last 10 years with his "easy going companion."
This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. 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… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Herbstreit explained in a separate post Monday that Ben received a second chemotherapy injection on Oct. 23 but that his condition only worsened from then on, resulting in his legs to become paralyzed and for doctors to find his cancer had spread to his organs.
Fans, friends and colleagues of Herbstreit's send their heartfelt condolences in replies to his posts on various social media platforms, to which he posted his appreciation later Thursday.
My phone hasn’t stopped ringing for the last 3 hours from texts and tweets about my boy Ben. I’m truly overwhelmed by how many people he touched-and from the bottom of my heart thank you for sending your best wishes and letting me know how much you loved him. This has been a… pic.twitter.com/oFi5CTF5iY
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Fans and sports personalities mourn Ben Herbstreit's passing online
Colleagues of Herbstreit's at ESPN and across the sports world posted their condolences and tributes to Ben online. Here are just a few notable mentions.
Ben was a bright spot in everybody’s lives.. if you met him, you loved him. If you watched him operate, you couldn’t help but smile.. You 2 were an amazing team of positive vibes. Thank you for letting us experience the greatness that was Ben.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 7, 2024
You’re a phenomenal father to all… pic.twitter.com/sdRj74uUG0
So sorry, brother. I truly am.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) November 7, 2024
Otis was my Ben. So many of us know the love. And then the hurt. “ The cost of the transaction” But the beauty of the love in the world in these moments is the sincerity of the compassion. Nothing seems to bring it out like dogs.
So incredibly sorry for your loss, Herbie. Thanks for allowing so many of us to enjoy Ben's journeys with you. There's nothing like a dog's companionship. Will be thinking of you and your family during a tough time 🙏
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 7, 2024
Kirk, thank you for allowing Ben to be a part of our lives. We hope he enjoyed being our Chief Happiness Officer last year. He brought joy and happiness to everyone he met. https://t.co/bKT8IlJLVJ pic.twitter.com/YO5jEs4YNq
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) November 7, 2024
So sorry for your loss! Sending love from Oxford. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CaSXJhs6ix
— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports) November 7, 2024
Ben Herbstreit made his @CollegeGameDay debut on Nov. 6, 2021 & was a mainstay of the show the past 2 seasons alongside his best friend, @KirkHerbstreit. What a gift Ben gave us all! RIP sweet pup ❤️@ESPNImages lightbox of our favorite GameDay doggo: https://t.co/vbi3VKD9o0 pic.twitter.com/OZFEC5Bq2z
— Amanda Brooks (@BrooksAD) November 7, 2024
Ben Herbstreit made his "College GameDay" debut during the 2021 season and became a quick fan favorite, appearing nearly every week and going viral every time he was spotted on the sidelines at major prime-time matchups.
It's unclear what kind of tribute, if any, will be made for Ben on this weekend's edition of "College GameDay" but it seems unlikely that there wouldn't be.
Herbstreit is expected to continue with his Thursday Night Football color analyst duties for the Week 10 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. He posted a video of Ben and reflected on the sweet and eerie coincidences from a year ago.
Almost 1 year ago in the same city-in the same hotel-in the EXACT SAME room-in the same matchup Cincy at Baltimore-I posted this video of Ben showing me where our hotel room was-this is classic Ben with the tail, the smile, & the excitement to show me he knows where the room is! pic.twitter.com/WypTOC5jXr
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Fans continued to express their condolences Thursday and more are expected to pour in. Ben Herbstreit was 10-years old and will be dearly missed by all.
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