"America's favorite GameDay dog" - Nick Saban's daughter Kristen Saban left heartbroken by the news of Kirk Herbstreit's dog's death

ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit has been ever-present on the set of beloved pregame show "College GameDay" over the years. Last year, Herbstreit became even more popular as he traveled with his famous pet dog, Ben, to all the locations where the GameDay crew traveled to during the college football season.

In July, Herbstreit announced that Ben had been diagnosed with leukemia, a form of cancer that reduces the body's ability to fight infections. On Monday, the ESPN analyst announced that Ben's condition had deteriorated after a second chemotherapy injection to the point that he could not walk.

Ben was taken to a holistic doctor in Pennsylvania, but on Thursday, Kirk Herbstreit gave the said news that Ben had died. One of the fans who was heartbroken by the news of Ben's passing was retired coach Nick Saban's daughter, Kristen Saban.

Kristen, who had interacted with Ben on the set of "College GameDay" in the past, posted a heartfelt message on her Instagram stories after the news of Ben's death broke. She captioned the story:

"Rest easy, good boy Ben. America's favorite gameday dog. Praying for you and your family @kirkherbstreit."

Kristen's IG stories

Kirk Herbstreit posts heartfelt message after Ben's death

Kirk Herbstreit first introduced Ben to the College GameDay crowd last season before the game pitting the Oregon Huskies against the Washington Huskies. The duo attended several games together after that.

Herbstreit wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram eulogizing Ben and announcing his death on Thursday.

"This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know," Kirk Herbstreit wrote. "We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Ben's organs and there was nothing left we could do, we had to let him go. 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. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. 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. 🙏🏼"

Over the past year, Kirk Herbstreit and Ben had become one of the top draws of the "College GameDay" crew wherever they traveled in the country.