Sports
Kirk Herbstreit’s dog Ben, beloved for crashing CFB, NFL broadcasts, dies at 10 years old
Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retriever Ben, who became beloved by sports fans for his broadcast-crashing appearances at college football stadiums and NFL games in recent years, died Thursday at age 10.
Ben was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma in March, and Herbstreit — the ESPN college football and Amazon Prime NFL analyst — said Thursday the cancer spread throughout Ben’s organs.
“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 (of) 1,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag.”
This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. 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… pic.twitter.com/jDvPTbNv2M
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 7, 2024
Ben first joined Herbstreit on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in November 2021, when the show traveled to the University of Cincinnati for the Bearcats’ game against Tulsa. The Herbstreits live in Cincinnati, so Ben made the trip to the local Nippert Stadium that day. He first hit the road for a work trip shortly before that in October, when Herbstreit took him to Seattle. Herbstreit told The Athletic in December 2023 that his family was going through a difficult time then, including the hospitalization of his 20-year-old son Zak due to a heart condition, and Ben provided Herbstreit comfort while away from his family.
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Meet Ben, ESPN’s jet-setting Golden Retriever
“We happily accommodate our lives around Ben and whatever it is he needs,” Herbstreit told The Athletic. “I report to Ben, is kind of how it works. Everyone else reports to my wife and I, and we report to Ben.”
Ben has had many NFL and college football credentials made in his name since. This season, the Atlanta Falcons credentialed Ben the “Wide Retriever” for a Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” game, while the Miami Dolphins gave him the title of “Chief Happiness Officer of Football” in Week 2. Penn State labeled him a “Treat Analyst” before this past Saturday’s “GameDay” show ahead of Penn State–Ohio State.
Ben had surgery in late July to remove two cancerous masses on his spleen and intestine, Herbstreit said on X in September. Herbstreit said Ben had an “incredible recovery” in the weeks that followed and that he was “just so thankful (Ben’s) feeling better and able to travel with me.”
Kirk Herbstreit pets Ben before the Ole Miss-Georgia matchup on Nov. 11, 2023. (Photo: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Honestly I think being out and seeing people on the road really helps his spirit and gives him something to look forward to,” Herbstreit said on X at the time. “Will keep a very close eye on him and react accordingly. He had a GREAT Week 1. Taking it one week at a time.”
Ben helped ring in one of the first matchups of the 2024 college football season on the ESPN pregame broadcast of the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas. In the booth, Ben sauntered between Herbstreit and his co-analyst Rece Davis —his tail could be seen in the frame, wagging — awaiting pets from the two.
.@KirkHerbstreit‘s dog, Ben, made his way onto the LSU-USC pregame show 🐶😂 pic.twitter.com/BetPuCpvcl
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2024
On Oct. 23, Ben underwent a second chemo injection but weakened afterward, losing the use of his back legs, Herbstreit wrote on X on Monday. Herbstreit took Ben to a holistic doctor, where he was given a three-day Vitamin C IV, he said.
“I’m so thankful for ALL the love so many have shown him over the last couple years. One of the hardest things I’ve gone through in my life,” Herbstreit wrote. “Ben is my best friend and companion. I love him with all of my heart.”
(Photo: Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Crunch.
That was the sound of Houston Texans players colliding with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card Round matchup, causing him to lose the ball. Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone for what felt like the knockout blow even though there was still a lot of time left to play.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) loses possession of the ball while being tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
It was that type of game for both teams – a defensive struggle – as Houston put together a 30-6 victory. It was the franchise’s first road playoff victory.
There were big hits and little room for error. Houston had a 7-6 lead at halftime thanks to a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk.
Even as the Texans turned the ball over three times between the first half and the third quarter, the Steelers could only muster up three points. Houston’s defensive prowess was on display on each snap as Rodgers was left with little to no time to make a decision.
When he did have time to throw, wide receivers like DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III either dropped the ball or were just a hair off. Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.
Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs to the end zone for a touchdown while defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
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Steelers fans let the team hear it with plenty of boos. Pittsburgh extended its playoff losing streak to seven games.
Texans running back Woody Marks ran for 100 yards for the first time in his career and scored a touchdown to really seal the win. Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.
Stroud finished 21-of-32 with 250 passing yards and the touchdown pass. The Texans’ defense sacked Rodgers four times. Rankins was good for 1.5 sacks.
The Steelers almost had no offense throughout the game. The team was held to 175 yards and outscored 23-0 in the fourth quarter.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half of NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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Houston will take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
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SACRAMENTO — Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked before Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings how he could ensure his players wouldn’t underestimate a nine-win team.
“We don’t look at any game as a walkover,” Redick said.
Then the Kings walked all over the Lakers, taking a 20-point lead in the third quarter before winning 124-112 at Golden 1 Center.
Luka Doncic did his best to keep the Lakers in the game, scoring 42 points and collecting eight assists and seven rebounds. But he scored just two points in the fourth quarter and looked slower after having his left thigh wrapped at the end of the third quarter.
The Lakers got to within seven points in the fourth, but the Kings pulled away. DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook finished with 22 points and seven assists for the Kings (10-30), who shot 59% from the field (48-82) and made 17 three-pointers.
LeBron James, who scored 22 points, wore a patch on his jersey commemorating his unprecedented 23rd NBA season in the city where he played his first NBA game. It features a silhouette of his pregame chalk toss and three colored stripes that represents the three franchises he has played on — the Lakers, Cavaliers and Heat.
He will wear the patch for the remainder of the season. After each game, the patch will be removed from his jersey, dated and shipped to a Topps’ production facility to be authenticated and inserted into a pack of trading cards.
LeBron James wears a special patch on his jersey commemorating his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
(Justine Willard / Associated Press)
The Lakers (23-14) looked strong from the onset when Deandre Ayton won the jump ball and eventually threw a lob pass to James for a 2-0 Lakers lead, a play that has become something the Lakers have used several times to start a game.
James hit his first four shots and the Lakers took an 8-2 lead before everything started to crumble.
They were behind 59-43 late in the second quarter. They couldn’t stop Malik Monk, who had 18 points off the bench on six-for-eight shooting, including five for six from three-point range. Monk finished with 26 points.
After the hot start, James finished the first half going five for 12 from the field for 12 points. He finished the game shooting eight for 17.
Lakers star LeBron James, right, drives against Sacramento Kings forward Precious Achiuwa during the first half Monday. James finished with 22 points.
(Justine Willard / Associated Press)
The Lakers will play the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. When the Lakers played a back-to-back game last week, James sat out the second game. Will he do the same Tuesday?
“We’ll see how he feels in the morning,” Redick said.
Perhaps Rui Hachimura will make his return from right calf soreness. He was available to play Monday, but he sat out his seventh consecutive game.
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LSU Tigers football is reportedly set to land a coveted transfer on Monday to start Lane Kiffin’s tenure as head coach.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt will likely transfer to the Tigers and play in Baton Rouge next season, ESPN reported. Leavitt is one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal and reportedly visited Miami and Kentucky en route to his decision.
ASU Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scrambles away from Houston Cougars defensive lineman Eddie Walls III (90) at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 25, 2025. (Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier graduated following the 2025 season and Michael Van Buren transferred to South Florida upon Kiffin’s arrival at LSU from Ole Miss. LSU was reportedly also targeting Washington’s Desmond Williams Jr. before he chose to stay with the Huskies.
Leavitt initially transferred from Michigan State to Arizona State following his freshman season in 2023. He became a star under Kenny Dillingham’s tutelage and had the Sun Devils in the College Football Playoff in 2024, only losing to the Texas Longhorns by eight points in the first round.
He only played in seven games in 2025, throwing for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns before he suffered a foot injury that required season-ending surgery.
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Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium on Oct. 18, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Upon Leavitt’s decision to enter the transfer portal, Dillingham had warm words for him.
“Big 12 champ, put his name on the map, smart/talented player! Going to succeed wherever he goes,” Dillingham wrote on X in December.
LSU had high expectations for the 2025 season. But the team was only able to muster seven wins. The team fired Brian Kelly in the middle of the year.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, left, stands next to Louisiana State Tigers athletic director Verge Ausberry, right, prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium on Dec. 27, 2025. (Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images)
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Kiffin joined LSU after Ole Miss won its Egg Bowl rivalry game against Mississippi State. The Rebels made the College Football Playoff and got to the semifinals.
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