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Pat McAfee sends classy message to Lee Corso

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 11:42 PM ET

The sports world is saying goodbye to a legend on Thursday, as legendary college football analyst Lee Corso announced his retirement. Corso has been a member of ESPN's "College GameDay" for nearly 30 years, and his final show will come during Week 1 in 2025.

Many figures from around the sports world are reflecting on Corso's impact and his long career. Those figures included Corso's "College GameDay" co-host Pat McAfee, who shared some kind words about the former head coach on his show Thursday.

"I've had the opportunity to work alongside him the last few years, but obviously seen him do his thing on television for the better part of 40 years," McAfee began, congratulating Corso on a great career and an impressive tenure at ESPN.

Lee Corso announced that he's retiring from College GameDay..

What an absolute legend

Thanks for everything Coach #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/V47dkzGrKV
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025

"I've said this numerous times. Whenever you watch him...he's still got it. Still quick. Refuses assistance when we're talking about steps or anything like that. Obviously on camera it's a little different for Coach Corso than it was 10, 20 years ago.

But he was an energy. Had an aura around him at all times....it's guys like him and Charles Barkley who understand that you are allowed to be entertaining, allowed to be funny, allow people to enjoy the experience while they're watching and learning about sports."

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: ESPN College Gameday analyst Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit look on during the college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Panthers on September 01, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

McAfee said that he was "honored" to call Corso a peer on "GameDay," and that "the sports world will miss him every single week," noting how important he's been to the growth of college football as well as ESPN's coverage of the sport.

"You're talking about a guy who was viewed as a GOAT, a guy who was talked about as a GOAT, a guy who acted like a GOAT and a man that will be missed on television," McAfee said.

"Changed the sport, changed the business, changed the trajectory, changed everybody's life that he's around. I think that'll be a job well done."

Corso's career will end on his terms as he takes one last victory lap on college football's most beloved show. We'll see where the road takes Corso for his final "GameDay" appearance when the college football season begins this fall.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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