Tragic news has just broken for the Herbstreit family: ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit on Thursday, Nov. 7 revealed that his beloved canine, Ben, has passed away.

The famous commentator revealed that Ben had cancer, which had spread all over Ben's organs. His family has to make the heartbreaking choice to say goodbye to their favorite dog.

A Bond Beyond Words: Ben's Special Place in the Herbstreit Family

RIP Ben: NFL Commentator Kirk Herbstreit Heartbroken After Beloved Dog Passes Away From Cancer
Kirk Herbstreit mourns his beloved dog Ben, who passed away after a battle with cancer, remembering him as a loyal companion both at home and on the road. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TMZ learns that Kirk left a touching message on social media. He said that Ben is "smart, loving, gentle, patient, curious, and welcoming to all."

For years now, Kirk and Ben have been able to forge their own style of communication. It's something that won't be broken easily.

"I've had dogs my whole life," Kirk said, "but Ben was 1 on 1."

Ben's Adventures with Kirk: What People Will Always Remember

Ben was more than a family pet. He seemed to have an educational encounter between football and man's best friend in every stadium across the country.

Kirk liked to take him to games and other events where he almost instantly became a favorite of players, coaches, and broadcasting colleagues.

To Kirk, Ben was more than a pet. "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 easy going companion."

"Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever," Kirk added.

A Heartfelt Tribute to a True Friend

Since this won't be easy for the NFL commentator to move forward, his presence for the Bengals vs Ravens game remains uncertain. NFL might give him some space to grieve for his four-legged best friend who left him.

Death will surely leave a void, but for ten years in Ben's life, Kirk is so grateful to have shared it with him.

"God please bless his majestic soul," Kirk said, "and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years a true blessing."

For other people, a dog is just any other animal, but for Kirk, it's more than just that. Ben is his companion who saw the best and worst in him; who saw him cry through the hardest times, and the one who saw how he smiled through his brightest days.

"Love you, Ben," Kirk concluded, a final farewell to a dear friend who touched the lives of so many.

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