Kirk Herbstreit shared a touching message for Lee Corso ahead of his GameDay retirement

[ASFN Admin]

Legendary ESPN broadcaster Lee Corso is retiring from College GameDay this year — but not before one more final show and one last time to charm his fans. His last show, ESPN announced Thursday, is set for Week 1 of the 2025 college football season on August 30 — though we don't know where Corso's final College GameDay show will be held.

After an astonishing 38 college football seasons, Corso has become a beloved staple of College GameDay, alongside Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Rece Davis and, in recent years, Nick Saban and Pat McAfee. But Corso's retirement announcement surely isn't a huge surprise to college football fans, especially since the 89-year-old broadcaster's absences from GameDay have become more frequent. However, as he showed this season, Corso can still have a good time dancing with Notre Dame's leprechaun mascot (even though he almost took a tumble!).

As expected, the tributes to Corso and his almost four-decade career began pouring in when his retirement was announced, including a very touching one from Herbstreit. The pair's close relationship has been well-documented, including small, sweet moments they share together on air.

And after Corso's retirement announcement, Herbstreit shared this loving message to his long-time pal.

Love ya Coach-you’ll be missed more than ya know. Been our honor to be with ya all these years. https://t.co/tQHMn5wjyVpic.twitter.com/XdH0btZx9K

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) April 17, 2025

Herbstreit said:

Coach, this is Kirk. Just wanted to say I love you. I thank you for so many lessons you taught me. Almost 30 years together, I have enjoyed sitting next to you, watching you do your thing. So much fun. We've had so many great moments on the show, off the show. This is a celebration for everything that you did for the sport, for College GameDay. You're an icon, you're a once in a lifetime person, once in a lifetime broadcaster.

It's been a special, special time for all of us as college football fans to watch you do your thing, and celebrate the sport every Saturday in the fall, and have a chance to be sitting where I sat since 1996, and to look over and watch you — whether it was the headgear or saying something that nobody else would say — you're brilliant.

And you and I have a special bond and always will. And I just really wanted to say how much I appreciate you, I love you and enjoyed being your teammate throughout all these years. And you've earned this retirement, man. Congratulations. Hope you'll still be with us and come around in the fall on Saturdays and take care of yourself. Look forward to seeing you soon. I love you, buddy.

Corso's definitely earned his retirement and all the praise.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Kirk Herbstreit's touching message for Lee Corso ahead of his GameDay retirement

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