Kirk Herbstreit, an ESPN football analyst, shared the sad news about the passing of his golden retriever, Ben, earlier this week.

Ben was a beloved figure at college football games, known by fans who encountered him during Herbstreit’s travels for ESPN’s “College GameDay.” This Saturday, before the LSU-Alabama game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ESPN honored Ben with a moving tribute that stirred emotions on set, where Herbstreit became visibly emotional.

In the tribute video, Herbstreit expressed, “Dogs are known as man’s best friend. But what do you call a dog that becomes a nation’s best friend? You call him, ‘Ben.’ When I first brought Ben along on my travels, it was for my own comfort. Hotel rooms can feel isolating. His presence was my connection to home, turning my journeys into a sense of belonging.

“While working, whether in a hotel or on the ‘College GameDay’ set, having him by my side brought a sense of homeliness to my experience.”

Herbstreit continued to share how Ben transitioned from being his personal companion to a beloved celebrity, warmly embraced by the nation.

“Ben never set out to be a social media sensation, but he became one effortlessly,” he noted. “The Rose Bowl even named him the ‘chief happiness officer.’ And that’s what he did; he spread joy without effort. Just a simple wag of his tail or leaning against a stranger made everyone feel like family—because that’s what they became.”

“Wherever I went—plane rides, hotel lobbies, beaches, or mountains—it didn’t matter who you were, be it a college student, a film star, a championship quarterback, or even a governor. Ben treated everyone with love. It’s a lesson we all need, especially in times when division seems prevalent. Our shared passion for football brings us together each weekend.”

“What I shared with Ben was profound. One flaw of dogs is their short lifespan, but the warmth they leave in our hearts lasts forever. So, Ben’s spirit will remain with us, this man’s best friend who became America’s best friend.”

Herbstreit revealed that Ben passed away on Thursday after a fight with cancer. His last public appearance was on October 26 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, for the Texas A&M-LSU game.

In a heartfelt social media post, Herbstreit shared, “This is tough for me to write, but since so many loved Ben, I wanted to keep you informed. We learned today that the cancer had spread throughout Ben’s organs, leaving us with no options—and we had to part with him.”

The news sparked a flood of support from both fans and other dogs, including Washington’s Dubs and Texas A&M’s Reveille, and signs in the “College GameDay” audience expressed love for Ben.