College football is usually about the grit—the smell of cheap turf, the roar of 100,000 screaming fans, and the high-stakes pressure of a playoff race. But lately, if you’ve tuned into College GameDay, the biggest star on the screen hasn’t been a Heisman hopeful or a legendary coach. It’s been a Golden Retriever.
Kirk Herbstreit’s dogs have fundamentally changed the vibe of sports broadcasting. Honestly, it sounds a little cheesy until you see it. A 70-pound dog wandering onto a live set during a heated debate about the SEC? It shouldn't work. But it does.
Why the Kirk Herbstreit Dogs College GameDay Tradition Started
It wasn't some calculated marketing ploy by ESPN. Back in 2023, things were heavy for the Herbstreit family. Kirk’s son, Zak, was dealing with a serious heart condition that required hospitalization. Kirk is a guy who is basically living out of a suitcase from August to January, bouncing between College GameDay on Saturdays and Thursday Night Football for Amazon.
He needed a piece of home on the road.
Ben, his senior Golden Retriever, became that anchor. He was a certified emotional support animal, but to the rest of us, he was just "Benny." He started showing up in the production meetings and then eventually made his way onto the turf. Pretty soon, he wasn't just Kirk's dog; he was the "Chief Happiness Officer" of the entire sport.
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The Legend of Ben: America’s Best Friend
Ben was the gold standard. He had this weird, calm energy that could settle a room full of stressed-out TV producers. He didn't just sit there; he participated. He wore a headset in the booth with Al Michaels. He did "meet and greets" with mascots like Uga XI. He even became the first dog to receive official media accreditation for the Rose Bowl.
Think about that. A dog had better sideline access than most journalists.
Sadly, the football world took a massive hit on November 7, 2024. After a brutal battle with leukemia and lymphoma, Ben passed away at age 10. The reaction was insane. We’re talking about a letter from President Joe Biden to the Herbstreit family. It felt like the sport lost its mascot. Kirk’s tribute on air was one of the rawest things you’ll ever see in sports media. He said something that really stuck: "Dogs' only flaw as a species is they don't live long enough."
Enter Peter: The New Kid on the Block
You can't replace a dog like Ben. You just can't. But life on the road is lonely, and Kirk still had three other Goldens at home: Theo, Mitch, and the youngest, Peter.
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Peter is... different.
While Ben was the "wise old man" who would sit perfectly still during a segment, Peter is a one-year-old ball of chaotic energy. He made his big debut shortly after Ben passed, and he immediately let everyone know he wasn't here to be a background character.
At a 2025 College GameDay stop, as a student was about to kick a field goal for $250,000, Peter decided it was the perfect time to go to the bathroom right on the field. On live TV. The student made the kick, but he also likely stepped in what Peter left behind. It was hilarious, human, and exactly what the show needed to move forward.
What You Might Not Know About the Pack
- The Travel Routine: These dogs don't just fly commercial. They travel on the private jet with Kirk and usually hang out in the ESPN bus for the first half of games before hitting the set.
- The Diet: Kirk is actually pretty strict about their health. He’s partnered with Purina Pro Plan because, as he says, you have to treat these dogs like athletes if they're going to keep up with his travel schedule.
- The Titles: Peter has officially inherited the "Chief Happiness Officer" title. At the 2025 Rose Bowl, he was spotted rocking the credentials just like his big brother.
Why Do We Care So Much?
Sports can get pretty toxic. Social media is a minefield of people arguing over rankings and recruiting. But nobody argues about a Golden Retriever.
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When Kirk Herbstreit dogs College GameDay trends, it’s usually because people are looking for a break from the noise. Seeing Al Michaels—a guy who is notoriously "old school"—soften up because a dog is nudging his hand for pets during a primetime NFL broadcast is just good TV.
It reminds us that even at the highest levels of professional sports, there's room for a little bit of wagging tail and unconditional love.
What to Look for This Season
If you're heading to a GameDay site or watching from your couch, here is how to spot the "dog moments":
- The Pre-Game Walk: Keep an eye on Kirk’s social media on Friday nights. He almost always posts a video of Peter exploring the empty stadium.
- The Kicking Contest: This has become Peter's "danger zone." He loves the movement, so watch the background to see handlers trying to keep him from tackling the kickers.
- The Booth Cameos: On Thursday nights, look for the Golden ears sticking up near the bottom of the screen during the broadcast.
The tradition isn't stopping anytime soon. Peter is young, healthy, and clearly loves the spotlight. While we all still miss Ben, the presence of these dogs has made the college football season feel a little more like home for everyone watching.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with Peter's travels, follow Kirk Herbstreit on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram. He posts "behind the scenes" footage of the dogs that never makes it to the main ESPN broadcast, including their interactions with players during warmups.