Legendary Lee Corso Retires: End of an Era as Iconic College Football Broadcaster Hangs Up His Mascot Heads After 40 Years
Legendary broadcaster Lee Corso, renowned for his larger-than-life persona and iconic mascot headgear, bids farewell to college football after an illustrious 75-year career.
Corso’s broadcasting tenure culminates with the ESPN coverage of Ohio State vs Texas, marking the end of a legendary stint that began in the 1950s as a player for Florida State Seminoles. His football journey continued into coaching, spanning over two decades across Louisville, Indiana, Navy, Northern Illinois, and a brief tenure with the Orlando Renegades in the USFL.
His extensive accomplishments have earned him induction into various Halls of Fame, including Florida State, Louisville, Indiana, the state of Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. However, it was only when the USFL disbanded in the 1980s that Corso transitioned to television, joining ESPN’s “College GameDay” as an analyst in 1987.
In 1996, he revolutionized college football broadcasting by donning oversized mascot headgear during live shows. Since then, Corso has adorned various team mascots, from the Fighting Irish Leprechaun of Notre Dame to the Oregon Duck on a motorcycle. These comical appearances have become synonymous with ESPN’s college football coverage, with Corso making 430 headgear selections and compiling a 286-144 record.
Corso has never picked against Navy, his former assistant coaching team, and achieved an unprecedented 11-0 streak in 1999. As he prepares for retirement, Corso reflects on a career filled with friendships, memories, and unique experiences.
In 2009, Corso suffered a stroke but returned to ESPN’s coverage the following year. In 2010, he was honored with the Contributions to College Football Award by the National College Football Awards Association. Before his final game, Corso was accorded a standing ovation by Southwest Airlines staff and passengers as he boarded his flight to Columbus.
Rece Davis, host of “GameDay,” acknowledges Corso’s pivotal role in shaping ESPN’s college football coverage, stating, “There’s no one more responsible for that than Lee Corso.” As Corso steps away from the panel, speculation arises about who will continue his tradition or if the segment itself will retire. Regardless, the future of college football broadcasting undeniably looks different without him.