Kirk Herbstreit Turns Teary-Eyed After His Deceased Family Member Gets Honored Alongside 2 OSU Legends

Kirk Herbstreit’s Ohio State affinity has been an open secret in the broadcasting world, but it didn’t get hyped in such a positive light until now. Thanks to the late star of his family, Ben Herbstreit, who earned him a lot of positive attention amidst the ongoing chaos.

Well, the regular follower of the college football world knows who we are talking about, and they need zero introduction to Ben. But for those unversed, Ben was not a human. It’s a wonderful narrative of a 10-year-old golden retriever becoming an integral part of the commentator’s family. But at the end of the day, the story remains a tearjerker as we bid goodbye to the pup. But the entire CFB community believes Ben is still watching over all the contemporary affairs from above and is living an eternal tranquility.

After a year-long battle with cancer, Ben Herbstreit, Kirk’s dog, succumbed to death in November. He might have met his ‘hooman’ friends from Ohio State, the winning head coach, Earle Bruce, who died in 2018, and Dwayne Haskinsn Jr, the talented who joined them at the doorstep of heaven in 2022. Could you think of a fictitious conversation between the three while rooting for OSU from the blue?

CFB Home posted a still animation on their page featuring the three big fixtures sitting above and watching the history unfold in the burnt orange jerseys. Little Herbstreit said, ”I wish I could have been there,” where Haskins JR consoled him, saying, ”We had the best seats in the house.” Hold your tears! There is more to your emotive instincts. Herbstreit shared the post on his IG story with the caption, ‘This is pretty sweet.’

Ben has been more than an animal to the sportscaster. He has been a key emotional support for Herbstreit throughout his brief life span. In October last year, Ben accompanied Herbstreit to a game at Washington. The situation took a Turn when Herbstreit’s family underwent a sudden crisis related to son Zak’s underlying health issues.

But Kirk, the lucky man, got his best friend by his side and was able to find some comfort amidst the chaos nonetheless. Ben’s silent support and unconditional love for Herbstreit was a lifesaver for the entire family. He could never be replaced, but the ESPN host welcomed his successor, Peter, into his life a few months back, maybe just to find the same warmth in another soul.

Behind a sensational voice and on-point analysis, Kirk Herbstreit’s dogs have been a major flex of his existence. College football fans might still visualize the scene when OU athletic director Joe Castiglione took a trek to the South Oval in September to visit the Goldest boy, Ben Herbstreit, with a basket of goodies. This is what the fur baby meant for the entire college game day crew. Well, the backstory you need contains a sobbing detail. Back in 2021, Herbstreit took his dog on the road when College GameDay came to Cincinnati for a game. Shortly after, Ben became an endearing presence in the football realm and earned his license and official red vest to be with his dad in more games.

The craze for the 10-year-old golden boy reached such a pick that many of the fans only signed at GameDay to see Ben. However, as they say, every good thing on this earth comes with an expiry date, and Ben wasn’t an exception. But, he is immortal through the immense love and tribute that flows through the mix.

Ben drew a series of emotional tributes from all across the college football world

Just after the beloved pup breathed his last, the college football world joined hands to make sure he had a grand journey to the next world, pouring all their love into the departed soul. Ahead of the Ohio-Tennessee kick-off, the College GameDay crew spotted a token of love dedicated to Ben from the fans. The fans issued a gentle tribute to the gentle soul, holding a poster that says, “The award for the College GameDay’s best duo goes to Ben & Kirk. Rest in peace, Ben.” Kirk’s heart got full with this gesture and he chose to post the same in his IG story.

College GameDay arranged another heart-melting tribute for Ben ahead of the LSU-Alabama matchup from Baton Rouge, Louisana. The tribute video was hosted by Herbstreit, who broke down into tears after the show.  “Dogs are known as man’s best friend. But what do you call a dog that becomes a nation’s best friend?” Herbstreit said in the video, “You call him, ‘Ben.’ I’ll be honest with you, when I first started bringing Ben on the road, it was for me. I needed a travel companion. Hotel rooms can sometimes feel like islands of solitude. His warm presence became my anchor to home, making my journeys feel less like wandering and more like belonging.”

When Ben left the world behind after a gruesome, uneven battle against leukemia, Kirk left a part of his soul with him, too.  The pain is inevitable and hasn’t healed to date, but the only solace of thoughts is the little one might have a watch party from heaven and have quality time with his fellow souls just like the post pictured it to be: sweet and simple!