In a rare moment in the world of sports broadcasting, Lee Corso will retire on his own terms this Saturday, receiving heartfelt tributes from both fans and colleagues. Corso's final appearance as part of the ESPN's iconic show, "College GameDay", coincides with a thrilling matchup between the No. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the top-ranked Texas Longhorns.
After announcing his retirement earlier this year, Corso has been inundated with accolades and good wishes. He was honored at the prestigious ESPY Awards in July and received a standing ovation at the Orlando airport just days before his farewell. “It’s a gamut of different emotions. I’m trying to stay in the celebratory lane this weekend,” said Kirk Herbstreit, a longtime analyst who has been by Corso's side since 1996. “We don’t want to be emotional or sad when it’s his last show. We should be celebrating him and everything he’s meant to us and to the sport.”
Corso, who celebrated his 90th birthday on August 7, has been a beloved fixture on "GameDay" since its inception in 1987. He transformed pregame shows into an entertaining spectacle with his unique philosophy: “Football is just the vehicle. It’s entertainment, sweetheart.” His approach not only attracted viewers but also added a layer of excitement to college football culture.
This Saturday marks the 26th appearance of GameDay in Columbus, creating a poignant full-circle moment for Corso. It was here, outside Ohio Stadium on October 5, 1996, that he launched his iconic headgear prediction segment. Since then, Corso has donned the mascot headgear of 69 different colleges, with Brutus Buckeye being his favorite, worn 45 times. “When we looked at the schedule, it became a no-brainer to have it here,” Herbstreit noted. “It’s very storybook, starting and ending in Columbus.”
Lee Corso boasts an impressive winning rate of 66.5% on his headgear predictions, with a record of 286-144, far exceeding his coaching record of 73-85-6 over 15 years at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois. His final headgear pick will take place at the iconic Ohio Stadium, where both ESPN and Fox Sports will broadcast the moment.
As Corso steps away from the spotlight, the impact he has made on college football and its fans is undeniable. “Now that his career is ending, you look back on the impact that you made. And he certainly made a major impact on a lot of people,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day. The emotional farewell is not just a goodbye to a beloved host but a celebration of a legacy that transformed sports broadcasting.
When "GameDay" first aired, Corso was known for his analytical insights, while the late Beano Cook provided comic relief. The show initially took place in ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut, before hitting the road for the first time in 1993 for a highly anticipated matchup between Notre Dame and Florida State. Over the years, the show has evolved, moving to various locations and becoming a staple for college football fans.
Fans and coaches alike have expressed their appreciation for Corso's unique ability to combine analysis with entertainment. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized how Corso and College GameDay bring the thrill of live games into viewers' homes. “What was he going to do? That was the beauty of the show, getting people excited about every Saturday for college football,” he said.
Even as Corso concludes his tenure on "College GameDay", his influence will resonate within the sport. GameDay producer Jim Gaiero hinted that Corso might still surprise fans during his final show. Regardless of the outcome, Corso's legacy of blending entertainment with sports commentary has set a standard that will continue to inspire future broadcasts.
