Ben Herbstreit
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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, and he quickly became popular with fans.[2][3]
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 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) 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
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]