Kirk Herbstreit Gets Emotional as He Shares Tribute After Dog Ben’s Death: ‘America’s Best Friend’

“He made everyone happy, and he did it without even trying,” the ESPN commentator said of the beloved pup

Kirk Herbstreit is putting the loss of his beloved dog Ben into words.

The ESPN commentator shared a tribute to the golden retriever — who had cancer and died on Nov. 7 — during a College GameDay segment ahead of the LSU and Alabama football game on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The emotional tribute video contained videos and pictures of Herbstreit, 55, and Ben traveling in hotel rooms and Ben making appearances on ESPN and at college games over the years. He shared that he “first started bringing Ben on the road” with him for support.

“I needed a travel companion,” Herbstreit said. “Hotel rooms can sometimes feel like islands of solitude and his warm presence became my anchor to home, making my journeys feel less like wandering and more like belonging.”

Related: Kirk Herbstreit Announces Death of His Beloved Golden Retriever: 'We Had to Let Him Go'

He said that when he was “working in a hotel room, “broadcast booth” or on the set of College GameDay, having Ben there with him helped him feel like he “was home.”

“He made everyone happy, and he did it without even trying,” the ESPN personality said. “He’d just wag that tail or nestle up against strangers like they were family, and that’s what they became.”

Herbstreit went on to say that Ben “didn’t care” who anyone was, as “everyone deserved his love” — and he hoped that message of “unity” would be one that people took away from the canine’s life.

“A dog’s only flaw as a species is that they don’t live long enough but the warmth they give us, that never goes away. So neither will Ben,” an emotional Herbstreit could be heard saying. “This man’s best friend who became America’s best friend.”

Related: Sarah Michelle Gellar Shares Heartfelt Tribute After Dog Dies: "Most Loving Dog and Friend"

Herbstreit announced in a heartfelt Instagram post on Nov. 7 that he and his family made the decision to “let him go” after they discovered the dog's cancer had spread throughout his organs, adding, “There was nothing left we could do.”

"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 other's backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easygoing companion," Herbstreit wrote in the post’s caption.

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"Hard day — but he will live within all of us forever," the NFL analyst concluded." 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. 🙏🏼," he concluded.

Herbstreit shares four sons with his wife Alison, and the family currently has three other golden retrievers, according to USA Today.