Lee Corso’s Legendary Farewell on College GameDay
It was truly the end of an era in college football television on Saturday. Lee Corso, the beloved and longtime face of ESPN’s College GameDay , made his final appearance, and fittingly, he brought things full circle with the same headgear pick that started it all nearly three decades ago.
Inside a packed Ohio Stadium, with the energy of a top-ranked matchup between Ohio State and Texas in the air, Corso reached for Brutus Buckeye’s oversized mascot head. With his trademark flair, he exclaimed, “Give me my first love!” before slipping it on to predict the Buckeyes would defeat the Longhorns. That choice was no random selection—it was symbolic. Back in 1996, the very first headgear pick Corso ever made was Brutus, and on this day, his 431st and final pick, it was Brutus again.
The scene was emotional. The Ohio State marching band spelled out “CORSO” on the field. The crowd roared with chants of “We love Lee!” and his fellow analysts—Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, and Pat McAfee—joined the tribute by wearing oversized mascot heads of Corso himself. Clips from past shows rolled on screen, reminding everyone how his unpredictable, often hilarious headgear moments had become must-watch television.
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Corso, dressed sharply in a tuxedo and bow tie, sat at the center of it all, celebrated as the heartbeat of College GameDay . This was not just about a retirement—it was about saying goodbye to the man who helped turn a Saturday morning pregame show into a cultural ritual.
Over his 38 seasons, Corso made a name not just with his football insight but with his personality. His signature phrases—like the playful “Not so fast, my friend!”—his ever-present pencil in hand, and his willingness to entertain as much as analyze, endeared him to fans across generations. Even after a stroke in 2009 affected his speech, he continued showing up every weekend, supported by his close partnership with Herbstreit, proving just how much he loved the sport and the fans who loved him back.
It’s remarkable to think about how a former coach at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois became the “grandfather of college football Saturdays.” He wasn’t the most decorated coach, nor the most polished broadcaster, but that was exactly the point—he was relatable, genuine, and full of joy. His headgear tradition, whether it led to cheers, boos, or even playful chaos with celebrities on set, became a defining feature of college football culture.
At 90 years old, Corso’s final bow was given the weight and respect it deserved. Even Fox’s rival pregame show paused to honor him, with heartfelt words from Tom Rinaldi. And while College GameDay will continue with its current crew, Rece Davis made it clear: the headgear tradition belongs to Corso alone. It retires with him.
So, college football fans will wake up next Saturday and something will feel missing. But the memories—of laughter, of wild mascot picks, of heartfelt moments—will stay. Lee Corso’s goodbye wasn’t just a farewell to a broadcaster. It was a celebration of a man who made Saturdays brighter, louder, and more fun for nearly 40 years.
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