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Kirk Herbstreit shares Lee Corso’s message to fans after retirement announcement
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Kirk Herbstreit was one of many who celebrated Lee Corso on Thursday following an announcement that the legendary ESPN broadcaster will retire in August. An icon in college football, Corso was showered with love from all over the internet.
But, as the 89-year-old doesn’t have a computer or any social media accounts, Corso didn’t see any of it. So Herbstreit called him up on Friday to share what was being said with his longtime friend and colleague.
“Can you put up on your Facebook or Twitter or whatever it is how much I appreciate all the well wishes,” Corso asked Herbstreit. “It really means a lot to me.”
Corso will make his last appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay — a show he helped make famous — on Aug. 30 for Week 1 of the college football season. That week will see ESPN celebrate Corso’s career, which began at ESPN in 1987, and it’ll culminate with what might be the final headgear selection in GameDay history.
On Thursday, Herbstreit called Corso a “once-in-a-lifetime” person and broadcaster. The pair have worked together on the show since 1996. Herbstreit has had Corso’s back in the face of criticism and Corso has been there for Herbstreit to lean on during tough times.
A Corso-less GameDay will take a while to get used to, but Herbstreit shared that Corso is content with going out on his own terms.
“It’s hard to let go, I’m sure,” Herbstreit wrote on social media on Friday. “But he really sounds like he’s at peace and it’s the right time. God bless him. He’s the best!”
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
