Football analyst burst into tears on live TV while honoring his late service dog in emotional broadcast

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit burst into tears on live TV while honoring his late service dog, Ben, during "College GameDay." Herbstreit who had previously announced the demise of the golden retriever in cancer could not control his emotions when host Rece Davis talked about a recorded tribute that Herbstreit made for Ben, featuring adorable moments of the dog. A teary-eyed Herbstreit tried his best to take control of the situation but was overwhelmed by his emotions, which left him speechless. Later, the ESPN personality shared the video on X(formerly called Twitter) and apologized for not being able to properly pay tribute on the show.

The heartwarming video begins with Herbstreit talking about how Ben went from becoming a "man's best friend" to the "Nation's best friend." He continues by sharing how he began bringing Ben on his trips as his "travel companion" to fight the loneliness of the hotel rooms. “His warm presence became my anchor to home, making my journeys feel less like wandering and more like belonging,” Herbstreit added. Whether it was in the hotel rooms or a broadcast booth, "reaching down and feeling the fur" made him feel like he was home. 

Moreover, Herbstreit recalled how Ben became a social media star just by being himself. Additionally, he recounted the Rose Bowl naming the cheerful golden retriever him the Chief Happiness Officer. “That’s exactly what he did. He made everyone happy, and he did it without even trying. He just wagged that tail or nestled up against strangers like they were family. And that’s what they became,” the football analyst said. As glimpses of Ben interacting with a diverse group of people flashed across the screen, Herbstreit remarked that his dog only gave love to everyone he met.

 He even mentioned how Ben exemplifies the love for football, bringing everyone together in times when division seems inevitable.“Dogs’ only flaw as a species is that they don’t live long enough, but the warmth they give us never goes away, so neither will Ben. This man’s best friend, who became America’s best friend.” Herbstreit ended the segment while struggling to hold back tears. Talking about his heavy emotions during the live broadcast, he wrote, "I’m sorry I couldn’t properly lead this beautiful tribute the @CollegeGameDay put together. Really wanted to thank all of you for the avalanche of love and support you’ve shown Ben. It gives me and my family such comfort knowing how he impacted so many people's lives around the country. He was a beautiful and loving soul."

As soon as the video was flooded, people started reacting to the heartfelt video. "Kirk, you led that tribute like any one of us would with our own beloved dog. That was the best tribute to him you could ever do. It was beautiful, and it encapsulates the raw emotion we all feel," @shannon4t76 commented. @banditcal2015 wrote, "We love you and your family! Ben was really America's friend! Take care." @flimpct empathized with Herbstreit and wrote, "It takes courage to go on camera and display your pain and vulnerability live. This is what our younger generation needs to see. Especially the younger men. It's okay to hurt. It's okay to feel. Eventually, as you mourn, the peace of God will fill your heart!" Similarly, "No need to apologize. Emotions spoke volumes," @jeremyndavis commented.