{"id":2424917,"date":"2025-04-18T05:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T09:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/"},"modified":"2025-04-18T05:40:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T09:40:06","slug":"lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Corso Leaves Behind A Legacy Of Light And Laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2424917&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Legendary sports analyst Lee Corso,known for his vibrant presence on ESPN&#8217;s *College GameDay*,has announced his retirement after an illustrious nearly 40-year broadcasting career that began in 1987. At the age of 89, Corso expressed gratitude towards ESPN and his colleagues for the opportunities he has had, reflecting on the friendships and memorable experiences gathered throughout his tenure. His final appearance on *GameDay* is set for August 30,with special programming planned to honor his legacy. Corso is renowned for his humorous antics and the iconic mascot heads he wore while making weekly game predictions since 1995, along with his memorable catchphrase, &#8220;Not so fast, my freind!&#8221; His retirement marks the end of a significant era in college football broadcasting, leaving behind a unique and cherished legacy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=r6CmROsitR4\">ESPN College Football\/YouTube<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/04\/18\/after-40-years-on-the-air-lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=After%2040%20Years%20On%20The%20Air,%20Lee%20Corso%20Leaves%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Light%20And%20Laughs&amp;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/04\/18\/after-40-years-on-the-air-lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=After%2040%20Years%20On%20The%20Air,%20Lee%20Corso%20Leaves%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Light%20And%20Laughs&amp;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/04\/18\/after-40-years-on-the-air-lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\" https:><\/path><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/04\/18\/after-40-years-on-the-air-lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=After%2040%20Years%20On%20The%20Air,%20Lee%20Corso%20Leaves%20Behind%20A%20Legacy%20Of%20Light%20And%20Laughs&amp;body=%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/04\/18\/after-40-years-on-the-air-lee-corso-leaves-behind-a-legacy-of-light-and-laughs\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &amp; Email\"><span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>After a nearly four-decade run, legendary sports analyst Lee Corso has decided to hang up his mascot heads.<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, the longtime co-host of ESPN&rsquo;s <em>College GameDay<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/story\/_\/id\/44713375\/lee-corso-sign-college-gameday-analyst-august\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced<\/a> that he will be retiring later this year, capping off a broadcasting career that began in 1987. In a statement released by the network, Corso, 89, extended his gratitude to ESPN and colleagues for the &ldquo;opportunity&rdquo; to grace the airwaves &ldquo;for nearly 40 years.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2 d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-1596905942\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1463670073398-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&ldquo;I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement,&rdquo; Corso said.<\/p>\n<p>The famed announcer&rsquo;s final <em>GameDay<\/em> broadcast will take place on Aug. 30, according to ESPN, with &ldquo;additional programming to celebrate Corso&rdquo; slated to occur &ldquo;in the days leading up to that weekend.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>For longtime college football fans, Corso&rsquo;s absence will undoubtedly leave a gaping hole in the Saturday morning <em>GameDay<\/em> experience. His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/extraordinary-attorney-woo-reminds-us-every-life-is-beautiful\/\" title=\"\u2018Extraordinary Attorney Woo\u2019\u00a0Reminds Us Every Life Is Beautiful\">good-natured humor<\/a> and quirky antics were staples of the game as much as a school&rsquo;s battle cry or <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">marching band halftime performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Among Corso&rsquo;s most well known lines was his infamous, &ldquo;Not so fast, my friend!&rdquo; While typically directed at co-host and former Ohio State quarterback Kirt Herbstreit to express his disagreement with Herbstreit&rsquo;s game picks, the former Indiana head coach was never afraid to use the phrase when challenging the choices of other panelists.<\/p>\n<p>One of Corso&rsquo;s funniest &ldquo;Not so fast&rdquo; moments came ahead of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbnation.com\/college-football\/2012\/11\/17\/3658380\/lee-corso-braden-pape-video\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2012 matchup<\/a> between Harvard and Yale, in which <em>GameDay<\/em>&lsquo;s guest &ldquo;celebrity&rdquo; picker &mdash; a 5-year-old boy &mdash; picked Yale to win the game. Without missing a beat, Corso added a creative twist to his famous line, jokingly telling the young boy, &ldquo;Not so fast, midget!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The moment left Herbstreit with his head in his hands, crying with laughter. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"EcPd5sjTF8SKGWvrn9Oa0CIqQ376wZVzYmAx4kXUp2bNhB\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Diehardsport.com-Lee Corso: \" not so fast midget width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Qxa19wg5wOM?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>But above all, the legendary broadcaster is widely known for his &ldquo;unique&rdquo; apparel when announcing his weekly picks.<\/p>\n<p>Since starting the tradition in 1995, Corso has donned the mascot head of whichever team he&rsquo;s picking to win in the major game of the week. He&rsquo;s even gone as far as dressing up as the Fighting Irish leprechaun when selecting Notre Dame. <\/p>\n<p>(Check out this hilarious bit alongside celebrity guest picker Ken Jeong before the matchup between Notre Dame and Duke in September 2023.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"doRFu5ZfT5Ds0NAmkXd62gHj7n3AZOcuIHKjlgFGrQi2YMtVW8UqYhvriaaUxOCLBS\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Coach is picking Notre Dame and Ken Jeong wasn't having it &#129315; | College GameDay\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/D7Mj82yKjrI?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Even when battling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/story\/_\/id\/44713375\/lee-corso-sign-college-gameday-analyst-august\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">personal medical issues<\/a>, Corso never allowed his own struggles to hinder his willingness to keep millions of college football fans entertained and smiling every Saturday. While it&rsquo;s sad to watch him go, his retirement from <em>College GameDay<\/em> is a well-deserved ending to an incredible and legendary career.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-american-freedom-convoy-set-to-launch-on-march-1\/\" title=\"Exclusive: \u2018American Freedom Convoy\u2019 Set To Launch On March 1\">state content writer<\/a> for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Shawn Fleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-twitter label-sm d-flex align-items-center mt-10\">             <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter me-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>             <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Visit on Twitter<\/span>            <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShawnFleetwood\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">@ShawnFleetwood<\/a>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/shawnfleetwood\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/college-football\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">college football<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/college-game-day\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">College Game Day<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/college-gameday\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">college gameday<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/espn\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">ESPN<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/football\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">football<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/lee-corso\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Lee Corso<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/legacy\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Legacy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/retirement\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">retirement<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/sports-2\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">sports<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/sports-broadcasters\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">sports broadcasters<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/sports-mascots\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">sports mascots<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lee Corso, the iconic sports analyst, is retiring after nearly 40 years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2424918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lee-Corso.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50380,53679,4185,3847],"class_list":["post-2424917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-humor-2","tag-lee-corso","tag-legacy","tag-sports"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lee-Corso.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2424917"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2424921,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2424917\/revisions\/2424921"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2424918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2424917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2424917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2424917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}