Kirk Herbstreit finds himself at the center of controversy for allowing his dog, Ben, to join him on the road during football season and letting him be part of the broadcast. Al Michaels settled the debate.
If the haters want to keep criticizing an adorable pup, they can do so, but even the most particular man in sports has come around so they should too!
Ben, for those who do not know by now, is a certified emotional support animal for the Thursday Night Football color analyst and College Gameday host. In turn, he is allowed to accompany his owner everywhere. The 10-year-old golden retriever is the oldest and most well-behaved of Herbstreit’s many dogs, and he recently overcame leukemia during the offseason.
Ben has become a viral sensation over the last year or so while spreading joy across the country. He even made his way into the shot during the Week 1 game between LSU and USC!
As cute as it was to some, the surprise appearance somehow ruffled some feathers on the internet. A loud minority group of people started to turn on man’s best friend. They don’t want ESPN to spend so much time talking about or showing a dog during a football game.
Herbstreit responded back to the haters and put them in their place.
Even though Herbstreit doesn’t care what they think, some people continue to speak ill of the goodest boy. They actively dislike a golden retriever they do not know.
Michaels might’ve been one of those people if he wasn’t around Ben so often. The 79-year-old play-by-play legend is not a big fan of animals. As revealed during an interview with Jimmy Traina, his new furry friend during football season is the exception.
You know what? I’m not an animal person. Kirk brought him last year and all of a sudden, I found myself in love with that dog. He’s a Golden Retriever. He’s beautifully behaved. Kirk is able to bring him around and he doesn’t even have him on a leash. I find him to be hysterical. One time, Kirk and I were at a hotel. We’re walking out of an elevator and the dog is walking with us and the dog is leading the way around like four turns. It looked like a Grand Prix course to get to Kirk’s room, and he knew exactly where it was. The dog is smart.
I’ve never had a pet in my life or a vegetable, but I’ll have a pet before I have a vegetable.
— Al Michaels
That settles it.
If Al Michaels, one of the most stubborn, stuck-in-his-ways people in the entire world likes having Ben around, then there is no longer a debate as to whether he should be there. Well, there wasn’t really any credibility to the dog haters before, but this endorsement officially puts it to bed.
Kirk Herbstreit’s dog made Michaels like animals. No more needs to be said!