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Kirk Herbstreit's beloved viral sensation dog, Ben, has passed away after battling cancer

Ben had become quite famous around the college football world as he traveled with Kirk to every game.
Credit: (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit and his dog Ben watch players warm up before the start of an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Arkansas.

DALLAS — It is a sad day in the college football world as ESPN Analyst and Commentator Kirk Herbstreit announced the death of his beloved dog, Ben. 

Ben, who had gone viral multiple times this season for getting plenty of media attention before and during the games that Kirk attended, spent the last 10 years of his life with Herbstreit. 

"I've had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 of 1," Herbstreit said in his announcement on X. "He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag."

Herbstreit said his family was forced to let him go after it was discovered cancer had spread throughout Ben's organs. 

Following the announcement, countless members of the college football community posted kind words and highlights of Ben's best moments over the past season. 

Ben was known to be a very good boy and a steady part of Kirk's hectic work schedule. A loss of this magnitude has truly tugged at the heartstrings of many around the country. 

"Hard day but he will live within all of us forever," Herbstreit said in his post. "God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years -- a true blessing. Love you, Ben."

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