As much as Saturday’s broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay was a tribute to LSU’s football culture, it was also a celebration of life for Ben Herbstreit, the faithful golden retriever and travel companion of Kirk Herbstreit who’d become a star in his own right for hanging out on set and in the broadcast booth.
As Kirk crossed the country multiple times each week for his various jobs covering college football and the NFL, Ben was right there with him.
On Thursday, Kirk announced Ben’s death in a heartbreaking post about the canine’s battle with cancer. On Saturday, GameDay made sure Ben’s presence was still felt — both with fans making signs for the very good boy and with a beautiful video tribute narrated by Kirk.
Thank you @CollegeGameDay for this. @KirkHerbstreit I know that feeling of not even being able to talk about your dog because it hurts your heart so bad. Prayers sir.
And most importantly, thank you Ben ❤️ pic.twitter.com/INZQ7o6owL
— Colin (@colin_gladman) November 9, 2024
Thank you again for all the outpouring of love for our Ben. I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family.
He wasn’t just my best friend – he was America’s best friend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WtpR2fHjjq
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2024
The outpouring of Ben Herbstreit tributes at today’s @CollegeGameDay is really special. Some of the signs in Baton Rouge this morning at @LSU.
📸 via @ESPNImages 🐶❤️ pic.twitter.com/wxAFWCXqly
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) November 9, 2024
The tributes to Ben weren’t just coming from Baton Rouge. Every corner of the college football landscape offered condolences.
Thank you for sharing him with all of us, @KirkHerbstreit! We love you, Ben! ❤️ https://t.co/8qM3MQ1Xhq
— The University of Alabama (@UofAlabama) November 9, 2024
Our hearts and paws go out to @KirkHerbstreit and his family during this time. Ben touched all of our lives, and will be dearly missed.
☝️❤️ From the entire Raising Cane’s Family, @ToddGraves and Raising Cane III pic.twitter.com/uri8M5wzTC
— Raising Cane’s (@raisingcanes) November 8, 2024
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.
You’re a phenomenal father to all… pic.twitter.com/sdRj74uUG0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) 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
Rest in peace to a Damn Good Dawg.@KirkHerbstreit #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/L0YS9wJKnH
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 7, 2024
we’re so lucky we got to meet you, Ben 🫶🤘#HookEm | @KirkHerbstreit pic.twitter.com/LqwZmuUGDa
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) November 7, 2024
