Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retriever Ben, who turned beloved by sports activities followers for his broadcast-crashing appearances in school soccer stadiums and NFL video games lately, died Thursday at age 10.
Ben was identified with leukemia and lymphoma in March, and Herbstreit — the ESPN faculty soccer and Amazon Prime NFL analyst — mentioned Thursday the most cancers unfold all through Ben’s organs.
“I’ve had canine my entire life however Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. All the time an enormous smile and a tender tail wag.”
That is actually exhausting to write down however so lots of you’ve beloved and cared about Ben that I wished to let you recognize. We discovered immediately the most cancers had unfold all through Bens organs and there was nothing left we may do-we needed to let him go. I’ve had canine my entire life however Ben was 1 on… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Ben first joined Herbstreit on the set of ESPN’s “School GameDay” in November 2021, when the present traveled to the College of Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ sport in opposition to Tulsa. The Herbstreits reside in Cincinnati, so Ben made the journey to the native Nippert Stadium that day. He first hit the street for a piece journey shortly earlier than that in October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit instructed The Athletic in December 2023 that his household was going by a troublesome time then, together with the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son Zak as a result of a coronary heart situation, and Ben offered Herbstreit consolation whereas away from his household.
GO DEEPER
Meet Ben, ESPN’s jet-setting Golden Retriever
“We fortunately accommodate our lives round Ben and no matter it’s he wants,” Herbstreit instructed The Athletic. “I report back to Ben, is sort of the way it works. Everybody else stories to my spouse and I, and we report back to Ben.”
Ben has had many NFL and faculty soccer credentials made in his identify since. This season, the Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the “Vast Retriever” for a Week 5 “Thursday Night time Soccer” sport, whereas the Miami Dolphins gave him the title of “Chief Happiness Officer of Soccer” in Week 2. Penn State labeled him a “Deal with Analyst” earlier than this previous Saturday’s “GameDay” present forward of Penn State–Ohio State.
Ben had surgical procedure in late July to take away two cancerous plenty on his spleen and gut, Herbstreit mentioned on X in September. Herbstreit mentioned Ben had an “unbelievable restoration” within the weeks that adopted and that he was “simply so grateful (Ben’s) feeling higher and in a position to journey with me.”
Kirk Herbstreit pets Ben earlier than the Ole Miss-Georgia matchup on Nov. 11, 2023. (Photograph: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
“Actually I feel being out and seeing individuals on the street actually helps his spirit and provides him one thing to look ahead to,” Herbstreit mentioned on X on the time. “Will maintain a really shut eye on him and react accordingly. He had a GREAT Week 1. Taking it one week at a time.”
Ben helped ring in one of many first matchups of the 2024 faculty soccer season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC sport in Las Vegas. Within the sales space, Ben sauntered between Herbstreit and his co-analyst Rece Davis —his tail may very well be seen within the body, wagging — awaiting pets from the 2.
.@KirkHerbstreit‘s canine, Ben, made his approach onto the LSU-USC pregame present 🐶😂 pic.twitter.com/BetPuCpvcl
— ESPN School Soccer (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2024
On Oct. 23, Ben underwent a second chemo injection however weakened afterward, dropping the usage of his again legs, Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. Herbstreit took Ben to a holistic physician, the place he was given a three-day Vitamin C IV, he mentioned.
“I’m so grateful for ALL the love so many have proven him over the past couple years. One of many hardest issues I’ve gone by in my life,” Herbstreit wrote. “Ben is my finest good friend and companion. I like him with all of my coronary heart.”
(Photograph: Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
