LEGENDARY Lee Corso is set to make his final College GameDay appearance during week one of the upcoming season.
It was confirmed in April that the veteran sportscaster would be hanging up his mic aged 89.
Lee Corso is set to hang up his mic this summer[/caption]
Corso will appear one last time to kick off the new season, as GameDay celebrates his incredible work.
The popular analyst will finish his illustrious career by covering Ohio State’s home opener against Texas.
Corso has worked on College GameDay since it began in 1987.
Ohio State holds a special poignancy, as it is where one of the analyst’s great traditions began.
The former college football star is well renowned for making headgear picks before each game.
This began at an Ohio State contest in 1996, when he wore a mascot’s headgear to pick who would win between the Buckeyes and Penn State.
Corso has since gone on to make 430 headgear picks during his career.
He famously went 11-0 in 1999, and has been correct 66.5 per cent of the time in total.
Upon confirmation of his upcoming retirement, Corso said: “My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years.
“I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.
“ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years. They accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of College GameDay.
“Special thanks to Kirk Herbstreit for his friendship and encouragement.
“And lest I forget, the fans… truly a blessing to share this with them. ESPN gave me this wonderful opportunity and provided me the support to ensure success. I am genuinely grateful.”
Corso played college football for Florida State alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1950s.
He then went on to coach at several schools before successfully transitioning into broadcasting.
‘A BORN ENTERTAINER’
Paying tribute to his distinguished colleague, former GameDay host Chris Fowler said: “It has been among the greatest joys and privileges of my life to work with, laugh with, and learn from Lee Corso for more than 35 incredible years.
“His courage and resilience have inspired millions.
“Through his groundbreaking work on College GameDay, Lee has been an indelible force in the growth of college football’s popularity.
“He’s a born entertainer and singular television talent.
“But at his heart he’ll always be a coach, with an abiding love and respect for the game and the people who play it.”
