The End of an Era: Leo Corso's Final College GameDay Appearance

Strategic Insights -

Leo Corso, a 90-year-old sports personality, has made his final appearance on ESPN's "College GameDay" crew before Ohio State hosts top-ranked Texas. Corso has been a part of the show since its debut in 1987 and has become a beloved figure in college football. He has been showered with tributes and heartfelt farewells since announcing his retirement earlier this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leo Corso made his final appearance on ESPN's "College GameDay" crew before Ohio State hosts top-ranked Texas, marking the end of an era for the 90-year-old sports personality.
  • Corso has been a part of the show since its debut in 1987 and has become a beloved figure in college football.
  • He has been showered with tributes and heartfelt farewells since announcing his retirement earlier this year, including a standing ovation before boarding his flight out of Orlando, Florida.
  • Corso first slipped on Brutus Buckeye's head, launching the now-legendary headgear prediction segment, outside Ohio Stadium on October 5, 1996.
  • He has sported the helmets and mascots of 69 different schools, transforming into everything from Notre Dame's Fighting Irish leprechaun to the Stanford tree, but Brutus will always be special as his first choice and one he's returned to 45 times.
  • Corso became famous for his game-day predictions on College GameDay, where he revealed his pick by dramatically putting on the headgear of the team's mascot he expected to win.
  • Appropriately, Corso's final "College GameDay" comes before one of the most anticipated college football games of recent memory, with No. 1 Texas facing No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus.

Statistics:

  • Leo Corso has been a part of ESPN's "College GameDay" crew for 35 years (1987-2022).
  • He has sported the helmets and mascots of 69 different schools.
  • Corso has returned to his first choice, Brutus Buckeye's head, 45 times.
  • The headgear prediction segment is now a legendary part of College GameDay, with Corso becoming famous for his game-day predictions.

Sources:

  • ESPN
  • ESPN's Ryan McGee
  • ESPN's Rece Davis