As one of ESPN’s most recognizable college football broadcasters, Kirk Herbstreit spends countless days each year on the road. But for nearly a decade, those long trips were never lonely — because he always had his best friend by his side.
That friend was Ben, a golden retriever with a gentle spirit and a gift for winning hearts.
Ben traveled everywhere with Herbstreit: to the field, the broadcast booth, and every stop in between.
He quickly became more than just a companion — he was a fixture of Herbstreit’s career, a beloved presence who could bring smiles to even the most divided fanbases.
“He was just that charming,” Herbstreit said.
For all the joy Ben brought to others, it was his bond with Herbstreit that mattered most. The two were inseparable, and the love they shared was undeniable.
As Ben grew older, he began to slow down, but he never lost his playful spark. Still, time has its limits — and last week, Herbstreit shared the heartbreaking news that Ben had passed away at the age of 10.
On air, Herbstreit delivered a moving tribute that left viewers in tears. Speaking through emotion, he explained just how much his golden companion had meant to him:
“Dogs’ only flaw as a species is that they don’t live long enough. But the warmth they give us — that never goes away,” Herbstreit said. “So neither will Ben.”
While Ben’s life was far too short, the joy he spread will last forever — for Herbstreit, and for everyone lucky enough to have met him.
