After announcing his retirement in April, Lee Corso has officially signed off from ESPN‘s College Gameday for the last time.
On Saturday, two weeks after his 90th birthday, the former college football coach and analyst picked Ohio State to beat the Texas as his final call, as his crew paid tribute on-air in a touching way.
“This is one of the easiest picks I’ve ever made … Give me my first love,” said Corso, referencing his first headgear pick in 1996 and throwing on the team mascot Brutus Buckeye’s head.
The College Gameday crew also threw on their own giant Lee masks as a sweet send-off, with the crowd holding their own masks of Coach Corso, giving him an enthusiastic reception.
After nearly 30 years as a college and professional coach, Corso made his ESPN debut in 1987, appearing on the very first edition of College Gameday in 1993. He’s made 431 picks during his time on the pregame show.
Corso said of his retirement in April, “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.”
