One of the biggest names in college and professional football has revealed a touching personal letter he recently received from President Joe Biden.
Kirk Herbstreit, who calls NFL games for Amazon Prime and NCAA games for ESPN, said he was “truly honored” to receive Biden’s personal message last month after the 55-year-old broadcaster lost his dog. ,Ben.
The former Ohio State quarterback posted the letter, which Biden addressed to ‘Kirk Herbstreit’ of ‘Cincinnati, Ohio.’
“Dear Kirk,” the typed letter began. “I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Ben.”
For non-football fans, the golden retriever gained fame for regularly accompanying Herbstreit to games and even appearing on set and on the sidelines.
Sadly, Ben recently passed away at age 10 after battling cancer.
Kirk Herbstreit’s late dog Ben passed away at age 10 after a battle with cancer
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, left, poses with his youngest dog, Peter, before the start of a recent game.
Herbstreit said he was “truly honored” to receive Biden’s personal message.
“Ben brought much comfort and unconditional love to millions of Americans across our nation,” the letter continued. “In your happiest moments and your most sorrowful days, he was there, sensitive to every unexpressed feeling and emptiness.”
Biden, a noted dog lover, appeared to reference the passing of his German shepherd, Champ, who died at age 12 shortly after his inauguration.
‘I know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet and I hope you can find comfort in cherishing the beautiful memories you shared with Ben. He was a good boy.
The letter ended: “Sincerely, Joe Biden.”
Herbstreit is an avowed Christian, but he hasn’t really aligned himself with one political party or another. She has spoken out against police violence against African Americans and criticized the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
But whatever his political beliefs, Herbstreit was honored to receive such a letter from the President.
“Politics aside, I am REALLY honored to receive this personal note from @POTUS sharing his appreciation and compassion for the loss of our beloved Ben,” Herbstreit wrote on X.
Many followers agreed with Herbstreit’s response.
‘I don’t care who the president is, receiving a letter is something most will never receive. Frame it!’ wrote one follower. “Very cool.”
“Ben really was America’s good boy,” another added.
Several were quick to claim that Biden did not actually write the typewritten letter, which does contain his signature, but most responses were largely positive.
Several were quick to claim that Biden did not actually write the typewritten letter, which he did sign.
Herbstreit’s followers largely refrained from any political response and instead focused on Ben.
Although new to calling NFL games, Herbstreit has been a fixture on the college side for decades as former Indiana head coach Lee Corse’s counterpart on ESPN’s College GameDay.
His willingness to take Ben on tour endeared Herbstreit to fans, many of whom reached out to offer their condolences following the golden retriever’s passing.
‘It’s crazy, right? It’s been fun. “He’s very welcoming to people because he’s been fantastic,” Herbstreit told the Associated Press last December.
‘Just the fact that he’s dating me is the best partner you can hope for. It’s super calm and cozy,” Herbstreit continued. ‘The good thing is taking it to the games. Both production groups met him. He has really become part of the team. If I don’t bring it to meetings, people ask.
‘Just to have it in the hotel room. I can be doing my (analyst) dashboards and he will be by my side. It’s his personality that makes me appreciate who he is,” Herbstreit said. ‘He’s a partner. He’s made a difference between day and night for me being on tour.’
On Saturday, before College GameDay aired from Athens ahead of the matchup between No. 7 Tennessee and No. 12 Georgia, Herbstreit’s other dog, Peter, enjoyed a walk around the set.
In a video posted to Herbstreit’s X account, the golden retriever mingled with Pat McAfee and the crew at the broadcast table. McAfee is also seen barking at Peter, causing the dog to wag his tail excitedly.
‘Look at this guy!!! It feels like home,’ Herbstreit captioned it with laughing emojis.
After Ben’s passing, Peter took a test to see if the pup was ready to join Herbstreit on the road for the rest of the season.
The Herbstreit family welcomed Peter in December, and Kirk referred to him as “Ben’s little brother” in a social media post.
“Many of you have asked about Ben’s new ‘little brother,'” he wrote with a photo of a young Peter. ‘Here he is: Peter, nine weeks old. Ben is slowly getting closer to him.