ESPN’s College GameDay host and sportscaster Kirk Herbstreit has lost his beloved dog, Ben. Over the years, Ben Herbstreit became a fan favorite among college sports fans as the Golden Retriever made appearances on the field and even crashed Herbstreit’s shows. In fact, the friendly dog became a celebrity in his own right as fans and players loved interacting with Ben.

However, the news of the dog’s sudden demise has left college sports, and especially the college football community, absolutely devastated. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing for the last 3 hours from texts and tweets about my boy Ben,” Kirk Herbstreit wrote on social media after Ben’s passing. Fans also poured their condolences as soon as the tragic news went online.

“RIP Ben you will be missed by countless CFB fans,” a devastated fan spoke for the entire community when commented on X. The Thursday night NFL host was the first one to announce Ben’s passing on social media. The 55-year-old revealed, “the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go.”

Herbstreit’s beloved pet had been suffering from cancer for quite a few months. Just three months ago, in late July, the golden retriever under surgery to remove two cancerous masses. One was in Ben’s spleen, while the other one was in his intestine. Herbstreit was happy about the surgery and said a four-legged friend recovered in no time, joining him on the road.

“Just so thankful he’s feeling better and able to travel with me,” the college sports analyst had posted on X. Ben Herbstreit was much more than a loyal companion to the 55-year-old. The dog’s fame has propelled him to immense fame, and Ben Herbstreit even had his ‘working dog’ ID card.

“He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easygoing companion. Hard day – but he will live within all of us forever. “ the color commentator wrote in his tribute. However, the Herbstreits were far from the only ones grieving losing Ben to cancer.

Everyone from college sports fans to former athletes mourned Ben Herbstreit’s passing

“Ben will be greatly missed. He was awesome!” commented one fan after the tragic passing of the ‘chief happiness officer’ of football and college sports. Other commonest also highlighted just how much of a star the golden retriever had become. “Ben Herbstreit for an ESPY & the Heisman Trophy!” commented another, calling for the dog to earn nominations for two huge awards.

The Heisman Trophy was awarded in 1935, and the Heisman Trophy was among the most prestigious awards in college football and even all of college sports. Meanwhile, the ESPY, or Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most significant awards in all of American sports.

College sports icons such as Caitlin Clark have won the award. She joined sporting icons such as Mikaela Shiffrin and Patrick Mahomes on stage. Now, fans want to see Ben posthumously nominated for these prestigious awards. However, some fans were too emotional to make demands. “Goodies are the most loyal breed. We will miss you, Ben,” commented an X-user.

“And in addition, I still miss my Diesel (lost him a couple of months back),” added the netizen, who could relate to what Kirk Herbstreit has felt since losing his beloved pet. Even former NFL star turned sportscaster Pat McAfee wrote a lengthy tribute for the four-legged college sports star. “Ben was a bright spot in everybody’s lives. If you met him, you loved him,” wore McAfee.

However, McAfee also had some encouraging words for his fellow TV show host. “You 2 were an amazing team of positive vibes. Thank you for letting us experience the greatness that was Ben. You’re a phenomenal father to all of your kids,” McAfee added in his tribute and posted a selfie he had taken with Ben. It’s safe to say that everyone rooted for Ben to beat cancer, and his passing has left the entire college sports world devastated.