Fans of ESPN’s College GameDay were left worried about the legendary Lee Corso on Saturday, after his frail appearance on the weekly show.
Corso has been an analyst on the college football show since its inception in 1987 and still travels around the country every week at the age of 89.
Since he had a stroke in 2009, Corso has struggled with his speech and other cognitive functions, but remains a huge fan favorite.
Despite that, fans did share their concerns on Saturday morning after Corso mistakenly called BYU ‘BFC’ while making his picks.
In another segment, he received the key to the city of Columbia, South Carolina from the mayor – and received a warm round of applause from his colleagues.
Lee Corso received the key to the city of Columbia, South Carolina on GameDay on Saturday
Corso was roundly booed by fans when he picked LSU to beat South Carolina on the show
Taking to social media, fans wondered whether it might be time for Corso to settle into retirement, with one writing: ‘I feel for Lee Corso. His age is really starting to show, but you know he lives and breathes College Gameday. I don’t envy the people who could make the decision for him should they choose to. I really don’t.’
Another added: ‘ESPN should not be trotting Lee Corso out. It’s sad,’ but one disagreed and wrote: ‘Lee Corso is a real-life legend and should retire when he damn well pleases.’
Corso is perhaps most famous for his headgear pick, which is now in its 28th year and has become a staple of the show – with the analyst pulling on the head of the mascot of the team he thinks will win the game.
It was expected that Nick Saban’s (left) arrival would spark the end of Corso’s time on the show
Corso selects FSU during a broadcast of College GameDay back in October 2002 in Florida
This week in South Carolina, he was roundly booed by the Gamecocks fans as he instead opted for LSU – and was eventually proved correct when the action got underway.
Earlier this year, it was believed that Nick Saban’s arrival to the GameDay panel may spark an exit for Corso, but at the age of 89 he continues to astound viewers with his energy and humor each week.
