After nearly four decades of iconic moments, unforgettable predictions, and mascot head theatrics, college football legend Lee Corso has officially announced his retirement. The 89-year-old ESPN analyst will cap off his incredible run with one final appearance on College GameDay during Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Corso’s legacy is deeply embedded in the DNA of GameDay, having been a part of the show since its very first broadcast in 1987. His vibrant personality and signature headgear picks became not just a tradition but a beloved ritual for college football fans every Saturday morning. Corso’s playful, sometimes unpredictable, mascot picks always brought the show to an entertaining close and helped elevate GameDay from a simple pregame show into a full-fledged cultural phenomenon.
In recent years, there had been growing speculation about how much longer Corso would continue. His on-air time had been scaled back, and his appearances were taken season-by-season as concerns grew about his health and age. Still, every time he appeared, his passion for the sport and unmistakable charisma lit up the screen. Now, after carefully considering the future, Corso has decided the time is right to step away.
“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be a part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” Corso said in his retirement statement, via ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Tributes poured in immediately after the announcement. Pete Thamel, who worked closely with Corso at ESPN, described him as a figure full of “incredible spirit and kindness.” Longtime ESPN analyst Field Yates also offered praise, writing, “Lee Corso’s passion for college football has resonated with fans for decades. A Saturday morning is not complete until he makes his headgear pick. Can’t wait to see the final one. An absolute legend. What a run.”
Fans across the country flooded social media with their favorite Corso moments — from hilarious bloopers to heartfelt speeches — celebrating a man who blended expert analysis with comedy long before it became the norm on sports television. One particularly famous moment often shared is when Corso, during a live broadcast, jokingly called a child a “midget” for disagreeing with his pick — a clip that has lived on in internet folklore for years.
While College GameDay will continue, it’s clear that the energy and charm Corso brought to the table will be irreplaceable. His retirement marks the end of an era, and his final show promises to be a bittersweet celebration of everything he brought to college football.
The location for the 2025 Week 1 College GameDay broadcast has yet to be announced, but wherever it is, the spotlight will surely be on Corso one last time as he puts on his final mascot head — a fitting close to a legendary career that changed how we experience college football forever.
