Kirk Herbstreit, the beloved ESPN and Amazon Prime analyst, has found an unexpected star in his golden retriever, Ben. Ben, the eldest of the family’s three golden retrievers, gained national attention after joining Herbstreit on his road trips, starting in October.
“He’ll stop by a tailgate, and people are like, ‘Oh, my God, look! It’s Ben! Ben’s here!’ It’s the funniest thing to see the reaction from people,” Herbstreit told The Athletic.
RELATED: Kirk Herbstreit’s Dog Goes Viral With Alabama Cheerleaders
The canine companion became a sensation on social media and at live events, with fans expressing excitement at seeing Ben.
He first hit the road for a work trip in October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit said his family had been going through some difficult times, including the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son, Zak, due to a heart condition. Zak, a tight end at Ohio State, has rejoined the team but is not practicing and has said he continues to receive treatment.
Ben provided Herbstreit comfort while he was away. The family’s other two goldens, Theo and Mitch, from the same breeder in New Jersey, stayed home.
The decision to bring Ben along coincided with a challenging period for the Herbstreit family, providing comfort during difficult times, including the hospitalization of Herbstreit’s son, Zak.
Ben now holds a special place as the family’s leader.
