Lee Corso has put on the headgear for the last time.
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Two weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday, the longtime face of ESPN's College GameDay signed off Saturday with one more pick — Ohio State over Texas. And, of course, he did it by throwing on Brutus Buckeye's head, the same way he made his very first headgear pick back in 1996.
"This is one of the easiest picks I've ever made ... Give me my first love," Corso said, as the crowd roared. His co-hosts added to the tribute by wearing oversized Lee Corso masks, while fans in the crowd held up their own versions. The set turned into a sea of Corso faces, a fitting send-off for the man who helped define the show.
Corso's career has spanned decades — from coaching stops in college and the pros, to making his ESPN debut in 1987, to becoming the heartbeat of College GameDay when it launched in 1993. In all, he made 431 mascot picks, turning what started as a quirky bit into one of college football's most beloved traditions.
When he announced his retirement back in April, Corso said: "My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years. I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement."
Now, after one final pick, he's officially headed into that retirement. Headgear off. Legacy secure.
