From CFB-HQ On SI · · 2m
Lee Corso's 2009 Stroke Reshaped College GameDay Career
Lee Corso returned to College GameDay after a 2009 stroke, scripting segments for 16 years.
In brief
Lee Corso returned to College GameDay after a 2009 stroke, scripting segments for 16 years. Lee Corso's 2009 stroke forced him to script College GameDay segments for 16 years before retiring in 2025. Originally reported by CFB-HQ On SI.
Lee Corso's 2009 stroke
Lee Corso suffered a stroke on May 16, 2009, at his central florida home while walking out to get the morning newspaper.
Partial paralysis and speech loss
The stroke left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak for about a month, but he returned to the GameDay desk that September.
Three-month comeback goal
Corso set a goal to return to national television in three months after the stroke, starting his comeback the day after the incident.
Therapy and recovery
Speech, physical and occupational therapy filled his summer, and he credited the deadline for pushing him through the therapy process.
First return to GameDay
He made it back for the season-opening broadcast from Atlanta’s Centennial Park and closed it by putting on Alabama’s mascot head.
“I can’t tell you how important it was to me to get here”
Scripting routine
The stroke took away the ad-libbing that built Corso’s reputation. He typed a script for each show with an assistant’s help and spent the week memorizing it.
Loss of spontaneity
It hurts me not to be able to communicate like I used to. I used to be pretty good at coming back, quick one-liners. I don’t have spontaneity, I can’t do that as much now.
Doctor's warning
A doctor warned Lee he would never be the same after the stroke and suggested he adjust to his new reality.
“Lee, you’ll never be the same. You might as well adjust to how you’re going to be.”
ESPN's support
ESPN kept Corso and signed him to a multiyear contract in 2017, calling him exceptionally generous to the network.
“They could’ve dumped me. ESPN was good to keep me”
Kirk Herbstreit's role
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit became Corso’s protector on set, helping with pronunciations and steering conversations back on topic.
“The worst thing I can do is correct him a lot. So it’s a very fine line between never embarrassing him, never correcting him too much, or letting him comfortably get his words out.”
Final College GameDay show
Corso’s final show came on August 30, 2025, in Columbus before Texas at Ohio State, where he picked Ohio State.
“I’m gonna be like that guy in Vaudeville. They hook him around the neck, and they pull him off the stage as he keeps talking.”
At a glance
Lee Corso's 2009 stroke forced him to script College GameDay segments for 16 years before retiring in 2025.
