Ben Herbstreit
Ben Herbstreit (c. 2014 – November 7, 2024[1]) was a golden retriever known for accompanying his owner and companion, Kirk Herbstreit, during college football and NFL events. Ben served as a certified emotional support animal for Kirk, but quickly became a favorite for fans too.[2][3]
Life
[edit]Ben was first seen on College GameDay in 2021 before a matchup between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Tulsa Golden Hurricane.[4]
In 2023, Kirk Herbstreit's son Zak underwent treatment for a heart condition after being hospitalized; Kirk began bringing Ben around to support himself while he was away from home.[4] Ben normally spent the first half of college football games in an ESPN bus and then during the second half, went up to the booth.[3]
During a December 2023 Thursday Night Football broadcast, Ben met players before the game and joined Kirk and Al Michaels in the booth with his own headset.[5] Michaels was a fan of Ben too, complaining to Kirk when Ben didn't attend a production meeting.[2]
Following a meeting with Uga XI (the University of Georgia's mascot) in at the 2023 SEC Championship Game, the Associated Press described Ben as the "new top dog in football".[3]
Ben received media accreditation for the 2024 Rose Bowl, the first dog to ever do so, and was named the "Chief Happiness Officer".[6] He received other press credentials for college and NFL games under different titles, including "Treat Analyst", "Chief Happiness Officer of Football" and "Wide Retriever".[7]
Health and death
[edit]In March 2024, Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma, undergoing surgery in July.[7] He died on November 7, 2024, at age 10.[7] Following Ben's passing, Ben's younger brother Peter started to travel with Herbstreit and began appearing on Thursday Night Football and College GameDay.[8]
On December 4, 2024, Kirk Herbstreit posted to social media a heartfelt letter he received from President Joe Biden offering him condolences on the passing of Ben.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hooks, Kalan (November 7, 2024). "The Kirk and Ben Herbstreit diaries: A look back at Ben's incredible 2024 season". ESPN. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b DeMeyer, Tess (December 7, 2023). "The life of Ben: Meet Kirk Herbstreit's jet-setting golden retriever". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c Reedy, Joe (December 28, 2023). "Football's top dog: Kirk Herbstreit's golden retriever Ben has become a fan favorite". AP News. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Flores, Elizabeth (January 6, 2024). "Kirk Herbstreit's dog Ben will be real star of College Football Playoff Championship game". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Chavkin, Daniel (December 29, 2023). "Kirk Herbstreit's Dog, Ben, Joined 'Thursday Night Football' Booth, and NFL Fans Loved It". SI. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Rieken, Kristie (January 8, 2024). "CFP notebook: Michigan's Corum looks to cap record-breaking career with win over Washington in CFP title game". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c Merola, Lauren (November 7, 2024). "Kirk Herbstreit's dog Ben, beloved for crashing CFB, NFL broadcasts, dies at 10 years old". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Wong, Kristen (November 14, 2024). "Kirk Herbstreit Shares Sweet Photo of His New Furry Travel Partner After Ben's Death". SI. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Sterling, Wayne (December 4, 2024). "President Biden honors Kirk Herbstreit's late, football-loving dog Ben in heartfelt letter". SI. Retrieved December 4, 2024.