Ben, beloved dog of ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, has passed away

ESPN’s “College GameDay” analyst Kirk Herbstreit posted an emotional update to social media announcing the death of his beloved Golden Retriever Ben, who’d come to be loved by the whole college football world as well.

Ben was a certified emotional service animal and had accompanied Herbstreit to games for the last two years. He could often be seen on set during live broadcasts and brought countless smiles to football fans across the country.

Often, Ben would receive his own press credentials, giving him access to the football field as well. Herbstreit described the joy it brought him to see how happy Ben made people.

“It wasn’t the intent. I just wanted a companion out on the road with me as much as I travel. He’s my really good buddy,” said Herbstreit in January. “There is just something different about him. I’m just happy people love his happiness and it makes them have a better day.”

How did Ben, Kirk Herbstreit’s Golden Retriever, die?

Earlier this week, Herbstreit revealed that Ben was going through chemotherapy treatments for cancer. He said that the situation was worsening and that the following 24 to 48 hours would be critical in determining whether or not Ben would be able to survive.

On Thursday, Herbstreit revealed that Ben didn’t make it.

“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.”

Although Ben had become well known to the world over the last year or so, he and Herbstreit were together for the last 10 years. It was in March of this year that he was diagnosed with leukemia and had surgery in July. In October, he’d received a second round of chemo, but his illness continued to progress.

“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1,” Herbstreit continued in his post. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. 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. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever.”

Social media tributes to Ben demonstrate the impact he had on college football fans throughout the nation and the joy he brought to them on game days.