Who doesn’t love the energetic presence of a golden retriever on lazy mornings? Many fans of “College GameDay” are eager to tune in to ESPN’s morning show, just to catch a glimpse of Ben, Kirk Herbstreit’s beloved pet. And since last year, Ben has become a fan favorite, adding a furry dose of cuteness to the show. However, behind Ben’s charming smile lies a heartbreaking tale.

Well, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit’s pet dog Ben is going through a tough phase as he has been battling leukemia since March. It’s a type of cancer associated with blood-forming tissue that reduces the body’s immunity to fight any external bacteria or infection. However, Ben has gone through some major surgeries in the month of July, after which he also visited some of the college football games this season. Now you can understand why Ben is one of the most valued staff members of college football. His journey has nothing less than a lesson of determination.

But it seems that Ben is not doing well, according to a recent health update shared by Kirk Herbstreit. After Ben’s second chemotherapy session, Kirk revealed that his condition was not very good. “From that day has been getting worse and worse.” For now, Ben is under observation and is being given all the necessary medical attention. Let’s hope he bounces back from his health condition and makes his big comeback on the show.

However, even in all the chaos, one thing that never changed for Kirk Herbstreit and Ben is college football fans and their team members’ admiration and love for them. They never left a single opportunity to showcase their unwavering affection towards him.

CFB world showing love towards Kirk Herbstreit and Ben

ESPN’s game day fans and CFB teams have always cherished Kirk Herbstreit and his beloved pet Ben’s presence in the show. They have not only shown their love and admiration towards Ben’s incredible battle with cancer. Their support is something that always makes Kirk’s heart warm and filled with gratitude. One such recent gesture from Penn State after their faceoff against the Ohio State team touched Kirk Herbsteit’s emotions.

As Ben couldn’t make it to their game, Penn State’s staff decided to make him valued by sending him goodies. Kirk took to X to share his appreciation for their sweet gesture for Ben, saying, “Every week schools and their staff blow me away with their kind gestures towards Ben. So grateful.” Well, there has not been a single instance where Ben was present in a college football game, and his proximity has not made headlines.

During the LSU Tigers game against the Texas A&M, Ben made a trip to witness their remarkable showdown with Kirk Herbstreit, but not without making his cool entry ahead of their game. While making his extravagant entry, he wore a flashy silver chain with a black press tag. His entry took everyone’s attention as he was giving the main character energy. Now that Ben has captured the hearts of college football fans, he’s not just Kirk Herbstreit’s pet; he’s a beloved member of the college football community.