Writer: Sofi Dawalibi
Editor: Mare Lara
ESPN’s bidding farewell to Kirk Herbstreit’s dog, Ben, marked the end of a beloved chapter for college football. Though Ben wasn’t the first dog to be a staple in sports, his personality left a mark on fans, alongside Herbstreit during broadcasts, his high energy was the perfect start to any game especially when watching College Gameday.
Dogs are a human’s most beloved companion, but some dogs are held in a higher regard as their team’s staple for their fans.
Sports are more than just what happens on the field, it’s about personalities, moments, and everything that makes us feel like a part of the experience even watching on a screen from the other side of the world. As we mourn Ben, let’s take a look at some of the dogs that have impacted some games’ histories.
Uga: The Georgia Mascot
Dating back a century, Georgia’s Uga is the most well-known mascot. As Uga XI takes on the legacy of his pure white English bulldog ancestors, ‘Boom’ inherited the title from his father ‘Que’ – who served as Uga X from 2015 to 2022. – Uga gets his own jersey and has an on-field home air-conditioned dog house by the cheerleaders. His origin dates back to when Sonny Seiler, an alumnus from the University of Georgia, brought his dog that was given to him as a wedding present to Georgia Bulldogs first home game of the season. Iconic.
Reveille: The First Lady of Aggieland
Texas A&M University’s official mascot is also the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. After a group of cadets hit a small dog with their vehicle around the 1930s, they brought her back to their dorms to care for her. The morning after she was brought in, a bugler played “Reveille” to wake the cadets, blowing the cover as the puppy started barking – earning her the name. – She was then officially named the mascot of Texas A&M.
Cleveland Brown’s Swagger
Swagger joined the Browns as a puppy in 2014 as the real-life Chomps. Unfortunately, passing away at only 6 years old, he battled cancer to pass on the legacy to his son, SJ – who then passed on to two new puppy mascots that will take over this year. Fun Fact, The Brown’s logo is based on a bullmastiff. The dog breed is a staple to the team and the fans.
Handsome Dan
Yale University’s Handsome Dan XIX assumed the titles and responsibilities of the latest bulldog in 2021. Just like a puppy, he was so adorable that given the responsibility of carrying on the legacy was easy. Dating back to at least 1890, when a young man from England who attended Yale brought his dog with him. Handsome Dan is regarded as the first live animal collegiate mascot.
Peter Herbstreit: Ben’s Sucessor
As the beloved golden retriever Ben passed away earlier this month, in November, his owner Kirk has been bringing Ben’s brother, Peter, to gamedays. Herbstreit first started bringing Ben as a travel companion to make him feel at home as he commented on college football games, so ever since his passing, Peter has taken over.
“[Dogs’] Only flaw as a species is that they don’t live long enough but the warmth they give us, that never goes away,” Kirk stated.
Peter behaved well on set at just one-year-old and fit right in. Hopefully, we get to see more of him in the future.
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