Kirk Herbstreit’s yellowish retriever Ben, who was loved by way of sports activities lovers for his broadcast-crashing appearances at school soccer stadiums and NFL video games in recent times, died Thursday at presen 10.
Ben used to be recognized with leukemia and lymphoma in March, and Herbstreit — the ESPN school soccer and Amazon High NFL analyst — stated Thursday the most cancers unfold all through Ben’s organs.
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag.”
That is actually dry to put in writing however such a lot of of you will have liked and cared about Ben that I sought after to can help you know. We discovered these days the most cancers had unfold all through Bens organs and there used to be not anything left shall we do-we needed to let him walk. I’ve had canine my complete while however Ben used to be 1 on… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Ben first joined Herbstreit at the poised of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in November 2021, when the display traveled to the College of Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ sport in opposition to Tulsa. The Herbstreits are living in Cincinnati, so Ben made the travel to the native Nippert Stadium that life. He first clash the street for a piece travel in a while sooner than that during October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit advised The Athletic in December 2023 that his society used to be going via a troublesome moment after, together with the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son Zak because of a center status, and Ben equipped Herbstreit reassurance hour clear of his society.
GO DEEPER
Meet Ben, ESPN’s jet-setting Blonde Retriever
“We happily accommodate our lives around Ben and whatever it is he needs,” Herbstreit advised The Athletic. “I report to Ben, is kind of how it works. Everyone else reports to my wife and I, and we report to Ben.”
Ben has had many NFL and college football credentials made in his identify since. This season, the Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the “Wide Retriever” for a Life 5 “Thursday Night Football” sport, hour the Miami Dolphins gave him the identify of “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” in Life 2. Penn Atmosphere categorised him a “Treat Analyst” sooner than this day Saturday’s “GameDay” display forward of Penn Atmosphere–Ohio Atmosphere.
Ben had surgical treatment in past due July to take away two cancerous lots on his spleen and gut, Herbstreit said on X in September. Herbstreit stated Ben had an “incredible recovery” within the weeks that adopted and that he used to be “just so thankful (Ben’s) feeling better and able to travel with me.”
Kirk Herbstreit pets Ben sooner than the Ole Leave out-Georgia matchup on Nov. 11, 2023. (Picture: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire by the use of Getty Pictures)
“Honestly I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to,” Herbstreit stated on X on the moment. “Will keep a very close 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 the crucial first matchups of the 2024 school soccer season at 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 might be obvious within the body, wagging — looking ahead to pets from the 2.
.@KirkHerbstreit‘s canine, Ben, made his method onto the LSU-USC pregame display pic.twitter.com/BetPuCpvcl
— ESPN Faculty Soccer (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2024
On Oct. 23, Ben underwent a 2d chemo injection however weakened later on, dropping the virtue of his again legs, Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. Herbstreit took Ben to a holistic physician, the place he used to be given a three-day Nutrition C IV, he stated.
“I’m so thankful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last couple years. One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life,” Herbstreit wrote. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart.”
(Picture: Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire by the use of Getty Pictures)
