On Thursday, NFL and college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced the death of his beloved dog Ben.
Kirk Herbstreit’s Dog, Ben, Dies
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 wrote on X (formerly) Twitter that Ben had to be put down following a battle with cancer.
“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 Ben’s organs and there was nothing left we could do — we had to let him go,” Hebstreit wrote.
Earlier this week, Herbstreit revealed that Ben had been getting worse and could barely walk. Ben needed immediate medical attention in hopes of his progress improving.
Unfortunately, Ben was not getting any better, which forced Herbstreit and his family to lay their special dog to rest.
Ben Became A Source Of Inspiration
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
Ben became a staple at college football and NFL games, with Herbstreit taking him on the field before games and keeping him by his side in the broadcast booth.
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all,” Herbstreit wrote. “Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate. He and I understood each other and had each others backs.”
Many universities began supplying Ben with credentials for games to make him an official member of the university.
Uh ohhhh…this guy is verbally committing EVERYWHERE he goes! pic.twitter.com/l2ZxNJ9bJO
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 24, 2024
BREAKING NEWS: 5-Star Golden Receiver Ben Herbstreit Has Flipped His Commitment from Ohio State to the Texas Longhorns! 🤘🐕🤘@rivals @KirkHerbstreit pic.twitter.com/SSMyxLqWnX
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) October 19, 2024
Herbstreit later thanked all of Ben’s fans for their kind words and loving messages.
“This has been a really tough day and all your touching notes and messages have really hit home,” said the ESPN analyst. “Thank you for taking the time to reach out and sharing such beautiful words about Ben. Appreciate all of you.”
