LEE Corso’s reason for missing a historic College GameDay has been revealed after fans were left fearful.
The 89-year-old broadcasting icon was absent from Saturday’s program.
Lee Corso missed College GameDay on Saturday in Berkeley, California[/caption]
Corso, pictured with Kirk Herbstreit, has been part of College GameDay since it began in 1987[/caption]
And fans feared for Corso’s health, given his advancing years and previous battles.
ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis issued a short statement at the beginning of last Saturday’s show.
“Lee Corso, a little bit under the weather, we expect to get him back soon,” Davis said.
“I know LC’s watching. Speedy recovery my friend, you’ll be back at it soon.”
The show also started in darkness at 6am local time.
It was broadcast live from Berkeley, California with College GameDay visiting the campus for the first time ever.
Davis was joined on set by Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit.
But fans worried when Corso was missing from screens.
He has been part of the ESPN show since it began broadcasting in 1987.
One fan posted, “Oh, now Corso’s absence means fewer signature headgear moments. Feel better soon.”
Another said, “Corso is a legend. Been watching him since the first game day at ND/FSU in 93 but it’s time for him to retire.”
A third wrote, “I don’t think Lee was fit for this environment.”
Corso also missed the season opener of College GameDay, which took place overseas for the first time ever.
The crew traveled to Dublin, Ireland for the season opener between Florida State and Georgia Tech in August.
Another fan wrote, “Sad not seeing Lee Corso on the show.”
Pat McAfee’s playing days
Pat McAfee enjoyed a hugely successful stint before switching to a career in the media.
The talk show star played punter in the NFL for eight seasons from 2009 to 2016.
He was a seventh round NFL Draft pick in 2009 out of West Virginia and spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts.
The ex-punter was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2016, and he was a first team All-Pro in 2014, as well.
McAfee owns the unique NFL record of the highest career net average punting yards with 41.4 yards while his longest ever punt was 74.
While one more said, “It might be time for Corso to retire. What a legend.”
ESPN’s panel on Saturday all donated $100,000 each towards hurricane relief efforts in Florida.
They added another $100k to take the total up to $600k after a college student made a field goal live on the show.
Florida is braced for Category 5 storm Hurricane Milton, which has recorded wind gusts over 150mph.
The hurricane has been described as life-threatening and led to a massive evacuation effort.
It comes with the region still reeling from Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, which killed at least 225 people.
