Lee Corso: A Legend of the Game

By: Leland Berg

After nearly forty years on ESPN’s College Gameday, Lee Corso has retired. He made his final appearance on August 30, 2025, at Ohio State’s season opener versus Texas. With his retirement, Corso closed a big chapter in sports broadcasting history. The traditions he started, the trademarks he created, and mascot headgear he picked, all a staple when it came to game days. 

Corso was known for his weekly tradition of picking a mascot headgear at the end of each College Gameday show. This tradition began in 1996, and he started his legacy the same way he ended it– putting on Brutus Buckeye’s headgear in Columbus, Ohio. His final pick not only inspired all the fans of college football but also inspired the Buckeyes, as they defeated number one ranked Texas 14-7. 

His last broadcast broke the record viewership for College Gameday peaking at a high of  5.1 million viewers in the final moments. The deep appreciation for Corso was felt as the crowd in Columbus cheered him on as he made his final pick. Ohio State coach, Ryan Day, even presented him with a custom helmet. Lee Corso may have retired the headgear, but his spirit will always remain on College Gameday. His legacy is proof that college football is more than a game, it is about passion and tradition.