Chris Fowler reflects on legacy of Lee Corso ahead of final appearance on ESPN College GameDay

Since the inception of ESPN College GameDay in 1987, there has been one constant. Lee Corso. The former player and coach turned analyst became a mainstay and part of the experience of watching college football on a Saturday for fans around the country. Now, at the age of 90, Corso is retiring with one final appearance coming on ESPN College GameDay.

Ahead of that final appearance, host of ESPN College GameDay Chris Fowler appeared on Get Up. There, he reflected on Lee Corso’s legacy ahead of his final show. He also praised Corso for the impact he’s had on his own life and career.

“It’s going to be a white-knuckle ride for me just to get through it,” Chris Fowler said. “And a lot of viewers that I’ve heard from watching it. Yeah, 25 years doing the show together. 35 years knowing the man. He’s one of one. We’ll never see another one like him, and I think the way that he has brought generations of people into the sport through his passion — to mean, he’s first and foremost a coach. He coached me when I was a young coach. He certainly coached Kirk Herbstreit. He’s coached Desmond [Howard]. He’s been, I think, a great presence in the lives of all of us and for so many viewers who feel like he’s their grandpa or he’s the guy who got them into the sport.”

Lee Corso played at Florida State from 1953 to 1957 and quickly got into coaching after that. He’d make stops at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois as a head coach before beginning his broadcast career. It’s in his broadcast career when Corso became an icon. Known for his eccentric personality, catchphrases like “not so fast, my friend,” and his mascot headgear picks, Corso became a legend.

“Lee’s going to be emotional. There’s a big luncheon in Columbus on Friday. People are coming into town for that. So, it’s going to be hard to keep it together there,” Fowler said. “And then, obviously, on the set. Brutus the Buckeye was his very first headgear pick, as you know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he put on that head. I think it’s at the middle of the field. It’s going to be quite the thing.”

As a broadcaster, Lee Corso always worked with ESPN. However, the celebration of Corso and his career goes beyond the network. It’s something that is going to be celebrated around the entire sport.

“And they should. He’s such a beloved guy. I think when reality hits and you get out there,” Fowler said. “And you realize that we won’t see that again. I think people are gonna start to lose it. I mean, I think the show will go on. GameDay is a powerhouse, but Lee Corso has brought something to not just GameDay, but the sports TV landscape that is wholly unique.”

For his final game, Lee Corso is going to be picking between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns. It’s expected to be a phenomenal game, but the focus will be on Corso as he makes his headgear pick. Brutus appears to be an overwhelming favorite.

“I’ll see him down in Florida. I’m gonna toast his 100th birthday in another 10 years,” Fowler said. “But I think he’ll be missed on a Saturday morning.”