In a heartfelt moment during Wednesday night’s ESPYs broadcast, legendary ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso was honored for his near four-decade run on the network and his impact on sports television.
Corso, 89, took the stage to a rousing ovation, joined by his College GameDay co-hosts Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Desmond Howard. With his signature warmth and humility, the longtime College GameDay fixture offered gratitude for a career defined by passion, personality, and purpose.
“I want to thank ESPN for this tribute and an opportunity to do a job that I’ve loved for 38 years,” Corso said. “My goal on TV was to bring a smile to everybody’s face. I hope I have done that.”
Corso has been a central figure on College GameDay, helping build the Saturday morning preview show into a cultural institution for college football fans. Known for his good-natured energy, memorable catchphrases, and his famous headgear mascot picks, Corso became one of the most beloved voices in all of sports television.
Yet on this night, it was the man behind the personality who took center stage.
In an emotional show of appreciation, Corso turned his attention to his wife, Betsy, who was seated in the front row. The couple, who met in college and married in 1956, have long been admired for their enduring relationship.
“My wife Betsy and I have been married for 69 years,” Corso said with a pause. “And I just wanted to thank her for loving me and allowing me to love her for all those years.”
The tribute served as a reminder not only of Corso’s longevity and dedication to the craft, but also of his deep personal integrity. Even as health issues have limited his travel in recent seasons, ESPN has continued to include him remotely and honor his contributions.
The network has announced his final episode of College GameDay will air on August 30 in Columbus, OH. Corso, who turns 90 in August, has been a fixture on College GameDay since its debut in 1987. Although he became a full-time analyst in 1989, he contributed from the show’s start and remains the only original member still on air.
The tradition that defined his legacy—wearing a mascot head to predict the winner of the day’s biggest game—began in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. That day, Corso picked Ohio State by donning Brutus Buckeye’s head. Since then, he has made 430 headgear picks, choosing the Buckeyes a record 45 times.
“Thank you very much ESPN for this honor and tribute,” Corso closed. “I appreciate everybody here. Thank you very much.”
Corso’s farewell broadcast will air live from 9 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN and ESPNU on August 30.
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