While many college football teams took the gridiron Saturday in hopes to continue their march to the College Football Playoff bracket, one of the biggest storylines of Week 11 was the late Ben Herbstreit—the beloved dog of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
Ben, a 10-year-old golden retriever who became a popular figure in college football by traveling alongside Kirk Herbstreit throughout recent seasons, died earlier this week after a battle with cancer.
On Saturday's episode on ESPN's College GameDay, Herbstreit voiced a heartfelt tribute to Ben in a two-minute video montage. Herbstreit was initially going to say a few words before the montage played on the broadcast but was overcome with emotion.
Seeing his longtime partner struggling to get words out, 89-year-old Lee Corso leaned over several times to comfort Herbstreit. It was a pretty special moment for the two colleagues who have worked on the show together since Herbstreit joined in 1996.
I’m sorry I couldn’t properly lead to this beautiful tribute the @CollegeGameDay put together. Really wanted to thank all of you for the avalanche of love and support you’ve shown Ben. It gives me and my family such comfort knowing how he impacted so many peoples lives around the… pic.twitter.com/1ygVve4K6V
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2024
College football fans noticed the kind gesture and celebrated Corso on social media:
Seeing Corso comfort Herbstreit after how Kirk has taken care of him the last few years 🥹 pic.twitter.com/FnZbUnMVM6
— Jason Lowenthal (@JasonLowenthal_) November 9, 2024
Lee Corso comforting Kirk Herbstreit grieving Ben is a powerful moment. With how Kirk has helped support Lee this season, really great to see him return the support. #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/k5H3PwAaUZ
— Megs (@Rad_Megss) November 9, 2024
There is something so poetic and heartwarming about Lee Corso reaching over to Kirk to help him get through this after all these years of Kirk helping Corso get through each Saturday when he was struggling. The sports community is the absolute best. https://t.co/xGReTv98O2
— Dillon Herbert (@dillonherbert) November 9, 2024
Kirk has helped Lee Corso through so much which makes it even more moving that Lee was right there to help him out. What a friendship. https://t.co/z9JtTC5KKh
— Chase Snyder (@ChasingSnyder) November 9, 2024
Seeing Lee Corso help Kirk Herbstreit, returning the favor, broke my heart. #RIPBen #CollegGameDay
— Allen Smithee (@AllenSmithee6) November 9, 2024
Herbstreit will be back in the booth Saturday night to call the SEC battle between No. 11 Alabama and No. 14 LSU at Tiger Stadium.
As for Ben? He'll be living in the hearts of the college football world forever.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lee Corso Applauded for Comforting Tearful Kirk Herbstreit While ESPN Honored His Dog.
