Kirk Herbstreit shared the devastating news Thursday that he had to put down his beloved Golden Retriever, Ben, following a battle with cancer.
“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Ben’s organs and there was nothing left we could do – we had to let him go,” Herbstreit shared on his social media pages.
Earlier this week, the college football and NFL analyst revealed that Ben had been undergoing chemo treatments but that the situation was deteriorating, noting the ensuing 24 to 48 hours would be a crucial stretch to see if he would be able to survive.
Herbstreit honored Ben’s memory Thursday, calling him “1 [of] 1.”
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 [of] 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all,” the former Ohio State QB wrote. “Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs.”
Since last year, football fans have grown fond of Ben as the dog has traveled with Herbstreit via private jet to the “Thursday Night Football” games the color commentator called for Amazon, as well as to “College GameDay” campuses and Saturday night college football games that aired on ESPN.
“He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion,” Herbstreit wrote.
“Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years-a true blessing.”
