Michael David Smith today @ AOL Fanhouse: “Lee Corso suffered a stroke in May, and on Saturday’s College GameDay, it was obvious from hearing him speak that he hasn’t completely recovered from it. But I admire him for staying on the air, and I admire ESPN for allowing him to stay on the air.”
(Corso picks LSU today on GameDay while Herbstreit gives Gator chomp)
I actually think there hasn’t been much dropoff in Corso’s performance to this point. And I never thought I’d say this: I miss him on afternoon and evening drop-ins. He, for me, crossed-over into a living room personality long ago - type of guy you don’t realize you miss until he’s gone. A little like Leno.
I think what may be slowing Corso down now more than anything is his medical condition combined with his age: 79 (same as FSU coach Bobby Bowden.)
I actually think Corso could probably be doing a full schedule at this time, but ESPN is smart to limit his workload. That decision may cause Corso to be around a lot longer going forward, which is a good thing.
College ain’t pro. It’s a lot less about about steely, hard-boiled analysis than the NFL. It’s about personalities and familiarity (traditions) more than point spreads. Guys like Corso and Lou Holtz … yeah, we mock them constantly, but in the end, they enhance not inhibit the college football watching experience.
2:13 pm on October 10th, 2009
I like that Lee is back on the air. College Gameday is not the same without him. Glad to see him doing well after a stroke. yeah he struggles with his words sometimes but he’s still doing his job well.
They could find someone younger but it wouldn’t be the same.
4:27 pm on October 10th, 2009
“They could find someone younger but it wouldn’t be the same.”
They already did, Desmond Howard. And you’re right, it isn’t.
6:29 pm on October 10th, 2009
takes getting old and sick to be a nice guy, lee used to be one of the biggest jerk coaches back in the day…look it up!
7:46 pm on October 10th, 2009
Howard needs to get his vocal cords fixed so his voice isn’t as high as Mariah Carey’s - he’s painful to listen too. I know the PC ESPN has to have a Token - but come on, Bristol - get a person of color with an adult male voice!
11:41 pm on October 10th, 2009
He’s still a penis.
2:04 pm on October 12th, 2009
I love his Sweetheart you gotta catch that ball lol
7:14 pm on November 13th, 2009
As a speech-language pathologist who works daily with stroke victims who have aphasia (word finding impairments), it is spectacular to see someone affected by brain damage back to work and trying hard to speak as quickly and accurately as before. It will be nearly impossible for Lee to regain the formulation speed to deliver one-liners and to interrupt others on the set for a joke or contradictaory opinion. However, his presence on the show should motiate the others to do even better and pick up the slack. I wish him well.