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Kirk Herbstreit fires back at criticism for bringing dog to broadcast, reveals Ben's cancer recovery

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•09/02/24•

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Mark J. Rebilas | USA TODAY Sports

Dogs are man’s best friend. That includes in the Herbstreit household with the football commentator coming to the defense of Ben, his family’s well-known golden retriever.

With Ben being on the road with Kirk Herbstreit over the last season or so, he was at his side again on Sunday in Las Vegas for No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 USC. However, some tweeted at him this afternoon wondering if he should be there at all, especially if he’s not a registered service animal. That criticism led to a response by Herbstreit on social media.

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“(Blow it out your) A** Joe! See ya!!!” tweeted back Herbstreit.

“You’re a moron! Beat it!” Herbstreit posted separately.

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It’s even more justifiable with what Herbstreit revealed in another tweet afterward. He shared that Ben has been battling cancerous masses this offseason. That’s why he’s so glad to have him back out on the road with him in time for this season.

“(Ben) was diagnosed with leukemia in March and had major surgery in late July to remove 2 masses on his spleen and intestine. Both cancerous,” Herbstreit tweeted. “Been a challenging offseason for Ben but he has had an incredible recovery in the last few weeks. Just so thankful he’s feeling better and able to travel with me. Honestly I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to.”

“Will keep a very close eye on him and react accordingly,” wrote Herbstreit. “He had a GREAT week 1. Taking it one week at a time.”

Ben, the 10-year-old dog, became a celebrity of his own over the course of the previous football season. He has come with Herbstreit on the road both in college and the pros whether on a leash or free-ranging around the best venues and games in the sport.

That included last night’s matchup in Sin City between the Tigers and Trojans. He was just walking around the broadcast booth while Herbstreit and Rece Davis called the 27-20 win for USC inside Allegiant Stadium. There was also a point where he laid out to nap right at their feet. The network got all of this live too or showed it in clips throughout the game.

It’s hard to have any hate for a dog in any sense. Regardless, though, Herbstreit isn’t interested in any of it in how he goes about bringing Ben around across the country.