Football fans are getting behind broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit after the former quarterback shared a troubling update regarding a member of his family.
Herbstreit’s golden retriever, Ben, has had leukemia since March, and the pup – who often travels with the football analyst – was not able to join him on the road earlier this week after his latest round of treatment.
And after Herbstreit posted a video announcing that news and showing the beautiful gestures that his hotel performed for Ben, fans offered their well wishes online.
‘We all love Ben. Hope we get to see him soon!,’ one fan said on X.
‘I can hear you holding back the tears at the end. Prayers for Ben!,’ a second added.
‘Ben is America’s Puppy. We love him,’ a third said.
And a fourth wrote, ‘Praying for Ben to have total and complete healing. So heartwarming to see God use him for such joy in the world! Thank you for sharing him with us.’
The Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, California had expected Herbstreit to bring Ben before calling the Vikings-Rams Thursday Night Football Game.
And the hotel went the extra mile for the pet, putting a dog bed in the room with toys on it and even signing a card for the pup.
Herbstreit thanked the hotel for their kindness and sounded as though he was getting emotional in the video he posted of the room.
However, Saturday brought a much brighter mood as Ben was able to travel with Herbstreit to ESPN’S College GameDay in Bloomington for Indiana’s clash with Washington.
Herbstreit posted several pictures of the pup from Indiana’s campus, as one adorably showed him with a Washington credential around his neck.
Herbstreit was also presented with a custom Indiana jersey, which someone held a sticker of Ben over.
The dog even hilariously crashed the SportsCenter set early in the morning, which brought a smile to Herbstreit’s face.
It’s not clear where College GameDay will be held next weekend, but hopefully Ben can make the trip.
