ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit's Dog Ben Defends His Place in the Booth

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has come to the defense of his golden retriever, Ben, after some criticism for having the dog in the booth during the LSU-USC game. Ben, who is dealing with leukemia, was lying down behind Herbstreit and Rece Davis as they called the game.

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit is not here for any kind of criticism toward his beloved canine, Ben.

Ben was in the booth with Herbstreit and Rece Davis as the duo called the LSU-USC game on Sunday night to help mark the official start of the college football season. Ben was seen lying down behind the two ESPN veterans as the game wore on.

ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit's Dog Ben Defends His Place in the Booth

However, any criticism of his golden retriever being in the booth with Herbstreit was immediately pushed back on. Herbstreit made his feelings known on X.

"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," Herbstreit said on "The Brett Boone Podcast" last month. "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 10 years old."

ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit's Dog Ben Defends His Place in the Booth

"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.

"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."

ESPN Analyst Kirk Herbstreit's Dog Ben Defends His Place in the Booth

Herbstreit's love for Ben is evident, and he is clearly doing the best he can to make his dog’s life as comfortable as possible as it deals with leukemia.

Ben's appearance in the booth is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of college football, there is always room for a little bit of love and companionship.