Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit shared the sad news on Thursday about the passing of his cherished golden retriever, Ben, who was just 10 years old.

Ben became well-known for his frequent appearances alongside Herbstreit during games as well as his time spent on set and the sidelines, winning the hearts of many.

Herbstreit, who provides commentary for college football on ESPN and NFL games on Amazon Prime Video, took to social media to express his sorrow. He revealed that cancer had unfortunately spread throughout Ben’s organs, leading to the difficult decision to let him go.

The 55-year-old, a former quarterback at Ohio State, reflected on his long history of having dogs but noted that “Ben was 1 on 1,” indicating the special bond they shared.

Ben’s final outing was to Bloomington, Indiana, on October 26, where he was there to support the Hoosiers during their match against Washington. His playful spirit and friendly demeanor had made him immensely popular among players, coaches, and fans alike, prompting an outpouring of condolences on social media.