Kirk Herbstreit shares touching letter from President Joe Biden following passing of Ben

Kirk Herbstreit’s powerful relationship with his late Golden Retriever, Ben, touched the hearts of college football fans all across the country.

Turns out, that even meant the White House.

In a social media post Wednesday, Kirk Herbstreit revealed a personal letter he received from President Joe Biden honoring Ben and expressing great appreciation and compassion for the loss of his beloved family pet.

Politics aside-REALLY honored to receive this personal note from @POTUS sharing his appreciation and compassion for the loss of our beloved Ben.
I can only hope that Ben knows how many people he touched. pic.twitter.com/OQogRAH7oX

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 4, 2024

Herbstreit announced the passing of the 10-year-old Ben in early November following a lengthy cancer battle.

President Biden’s letter reads: “Dear Kirk, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Ben. Ben brought so much comfort and unconditional love to millions of Americans across our Nation. In your most joyful moments and grief-stricken days, he was there, sensitive to every unspoken feeling and emotion. I know what it is like to lose a beloved pet, and I hope you can find some comfort in cherishing the beautiful memories you shared with Ben. He was a good boy.”

Whether it was live appearances on the set of ESPN College GameDay, where he was often seen shadowing Herbstreit’s every step, or in the occassional photos Herbstreit posted of his loyal traveling companion, Ben quickly became a beloved figure for college football fans everywhere.

Ben’s fame grew so much throughout the 2023 college football season that bowl sites and athletic programs began issuing the elder Golden Retriever his own media credential to roam the sidelines at Herbstreit’s side in 2024.

Prior to his Nov. 7 passing, Ben had been undergoing treatment for cancer throughout 2024 but the treatment took a turn for the worse in early November.

“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know,” Herbstreit wrote Nov. on X/Twitter. “We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go. I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 on 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years-a true blessing. Love you Ben.”

Since Ben’s passing, Herbstreit has been traveling with Ben’s adorable Golden Retriever brother, Peter, who has become a budding star in his own right with his own GameDay appearances.

Andrew Graham contributed to this report.