Social media is feeling it for Kirk Herbstreit following a worrying revelation from the popular ESPN personality.
Herbstreit’s golden retriever, Ben, became a favorite among football fans in 2023 after he began making appearances on ‘College GameDay.’ But Ben has been having a difficult 2024, as revealed by Herbstreit.
The sportscaster was a guest on ‘The Bret Boone Podcast’ recently and revealed that Ben had surgery not long ago, having been diagnosed with leukemia.
“Ben is always ready. We’ve had a tough offseason. I haven’t really told anybody this, he got diagnosed with leukemia and most recently had to have an operation where they had to take a couple of masses,” he said (H/T Awful Announcing).
“They had to open him up and took out his spleen where there was a mass and then another mass on his intestine, which is a pretty big procedure when you’re ten years old.
“I didn’t know if we were going to lose him or what. He did not respond favorably the first three or four days; wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t go to the bathroom. This was just probably two-and-a-half weeks ago, and he’s slowly kind of coming out of that state and is back to taking walks and eating and wagging and starting to get back to his personality.
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“So I am praying every day for him and hoping that he’s going to be OK – first of all just to be OK and then secondly, hope to be able to take him on the road with me again this year.”
Also Read: Kirk Herbstreit Makes His Position Very Clear On Male Athletes Participating In Women’s Sports
Social Media Sends Love To Kirk Herbstreit & Ben
Fans have sent kind words to Kirk Herbstreit and Ben since the former disclosed the above.
“We are praying for Ben too @KirkHerbstreit!! Love that good boy 🐶❤️!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏,” one wrote.
“Hope everything goes well!” another said.
Ben is expected to return to ‘College GameDay’ in 2024, but his owner has announced that he will not travel to Dublin, Ireland, for this Saturday’s show. It’s hoped that he’ll be ready for the start of the college football season.
“He’ll be at home with our other 3 Goldens,” Herbstreit shared on X/Twitter. “Hoping he’s ready to go week 1 at A&M!”
All the best, Ben!
