Lee Corso’s farewell to ESPN’s “College Gameday” will also include an unexpected cameo on the show’s primary competition, FOX “Big Noon Kickoff.”
FOX plans to air Corso’s final “Gameday” headgear pick live during its “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show, Brett McMurphy of On3 reported Friday. With both shows on-site from Ohio Stadium for the Texas-Ohio State college football game, FOX will be able to show Corso’s pick as it is being displayed to fans via the jumbotron.
Sports Media Watch can add that ESPN gave permission to FOX to show the in-stadium feed, on the grounds that it is a special moment that transcends network affiliation.
The unusual arrangement is just one of what will be several tributes to Corso on the FOX pregame Saturday morning. Per McMurphy, ex-“Gameday” contributors Tom Rinaldi and Chris Fallica will pay tribute to the retiring ESPN analyst.
As goes without saying, the biggest tributes to Corso will be on “Gameday” itself, which among other things will feature an on-site appearance by its former host Chris Fowler — who will be stopping in Ohio between assignments at the U.S. Open in New York and the LSU-Clemson game in South Carolina.
Corso has been on “Gameday” since its first season in 1987 and emerged as the face of the show. His weekly “headgear” pick, in which he announces which team he thinks will win the featured game by donning a mascot head, helmet or full costume, has long been the show’s denouement.
As he has slowed down with age and the after effects of a 2009 stroke, Corso has missed “Gameday” on occasion — appearing remotely throughout the 2020 COVID season and missing a handful of shows in recent years. Nonetheless, even at now 90 years old, Corso has been on the weekly road show more times than not of late.
His retirement was announced back in April, with the Week 1 season premiere marking his final appearance. “Gameday” will be at Ohio State, where Corso made his first headgear pick in 1996.
Corso is the second broadcaster of his generation to retire this year. ESPN’s Hubie Brown, also 90, called his final game back in February, and like Corso was given an extended tribute. Corso’s spiritual equivalent on college basketball, ESPN’s Dick Vitale, returned to the air this year after an extended absence due to multiple battles with cancer.
