Kirk Herbstreit Shares Heartbreaking Update on His Adorable Dog, Ben

Sports commentator Kirk Herbstreit has always had his fair share of camera time, thanks to his long career with ESPN and ABC. But Kirk's dog, Ben Herbstreit, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, also managed to steal the spotlight. Ben, with his fluffy, adorable personality, captured hearts at games since 2018, though he became a more regular attendee in 2023.

By 2024, Ben went viral, and fans couldn't get enough of the lovable pup. Unfortunately, Kirk shared heartbreaking news on Nov. 7 that any dog parent can relate to — he had to say goodbye to his loyal companion. So, what happened to Kirk's dog?"

Kirk's service dog, Ben, passed away from cancer on Nov. 7, 2024. Ben, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March 2024. On Nov. 7, Kirk shared the heartbreaking news on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that cancer had spread throughout Ben's organs and that there was nothing left they could do — they had to let him go. Kirk admitted that writing the message was "hard," but with so many fans who loved and cared for Ben, he felt it was only right to provide them with a health update.

Kirk shared that although he had dogs "my whole life," Ben was special. He was "1 on 1," Kirk said. "He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag." Golden Retrievers are known for being one of the friendliest dog breeds, often considered the ideal family companion alongside Labradors.

If you're a pet parent, you know there's an unspoken bond between you and the animal that no one truly understands. Each person in a home develops their own relationship with their pet, and for Kirk, Ben was his buddy and support. "He and I could communicate ... he and I understood each other and had each other's backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work," Kirk explained. He added that he was "such an easygoing companion."

Kirk ended his heartbreaking health update on his dog Ben by saying that Nov. 7 was a hard day to accept, but that Ben "will live within all of us forever."

It's clear that Kirk's dog, Ben, impacted more than just his owner. Pat McAfee was one of many to comment on Ben's passing, writing, "Ben was a bright spot in everybody’s lives ... if you met him, you loved him. If you watched him operate, you couldn’t help but smile."

Tone Digs was another to pay tribute to Ben, writing on X, "RIP to the greatest boy there ever was." It seems everyone has a memory to share of Ben, whether it was seeing him on the field or lounging around on a golf cart. Even DraftKings Sports penned a message to Ben via X, writing, "RIP to the goodest boy."