Kirk Herbstreit gets emotional as he pays tribute after Dog Ben’s death

Kirk Herbstreit puts words to the loss of his beloved dog Ben.

The ESPN commentator paid tribute to the golden retriever, who was diagnosed with cancer and died on November 7, during a College GameDay segment before the LSU-Alabama football game on Saturday, November 9.

The emotional tribute video included videos and images of Herbstreit, 55, and Ben traveling in hotel rooms and Ben’s appearances on ESPN and at college games over the years. He shared that he “initially started taking Ben along for the ride” for support.

“I needed a travel companion,” Herbstreit said. “Hotel rooms can sometimes feel like islands of solitude, and his warm presence became the anchor of home for me, making my travels feel less like hiking and more like belonging.”

He said that when he was working “in a hotel room, in a ‘broadcast booth,’ or on the set of College GameDay, Ben’s presence with him made him feel “at home.”

“He made everyone happy, and he did it without even trying,” the ESPN personality said. “He would just wag his tail or snuggle up to strangers like they were family, and that’s what they became.”

Herbstreit went on to say that Ben “didn’t care” who anyone was as “everyone deserved their love” – ​​and he hoped people would take away the message of “unity” from the dog’s life.

“A dog’s only flaw as a species is that it doesn’t live long enough, but the warmth it gives us never goes away. “So Ben won’t be either,” an emotional Herbststreit was heard saying. “The man’s best friend who became America’s best friend.”

Herbstreit announced in a heartfelt Instagram post on Nov. 7 that he and his family made the decision to “let him go” after discovering the dog’s cancer had spread to his organs, adding adding: “There was nothing more we could do.”

“I’ve had dogs all my life, but Ben was one on one. He was smart, loving, gentle, patient, curious and hospitable to everyone. Always a big smile and a gentle wag of the tail. He and I were able to communicate.” “He and I understood each other and had each other’s backs. He was home and traveling with me more than anyone else,” Herbstreit wrote in the post’s caption.

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“Tough day – but it will live in all of us forever,” the NFL analyst concluded. “God, please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years – a true blessing. I love you.”, Ben. 🙏🏼,” he concluded.

Herbstreit has four sons with his wife, Alison, and the family says they currently have three other golden retrievers USA today.