The Big Lead

Lee Corso gets legendary airport send-off before final ESPN GameDay appearance

Lee Corso gets a heartfelt send-off before his final ESPN College GameDay appearance on Saturday morning.

By Tyler Reed

Lee Corso poses on the ESPYs red carpet at the Dolby Theatre.
Lee Corso poses on the ESPYs red carpet at the Dolby Theatre. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The return of the college football season is supposed to only bring happiness to those of us who park ourselves on a couch on every Saturday from September until February.

However, it's hard to deny that the start of this season will be a little bittersweet. Longtime ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso is set to retire after one more show this coming Saturday.

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It's hard to believe that Corso's time with ESPN is coming to a close, but it's really awesome that the network is giving him the opportunity to close this era of his career on his own terms.

Emotions have been pouring out over the past week, and a clip shared on social media of Corso receiving a legendary send-off at the airport will have everyone running for some tissues. I know I needed a few.

Southwest Airlines made sure Corso's last flight to Columbus was one he will remember forever. Fans rose to give the legendary broadcaster a standing ovation after a very touching speech from an employee from Southwest Airlines.

It's funny to get so emotional over someone you have never met. But seeing Corso every nearly every Saturday for five months every year for the majority of my life, makes me feel like I've known him all my life. Corso's impact on college football is one of one.

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Tomorrow is going to be a celebration. A celebration that is rightfully deserved.

Lee Corso talks on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff.
Lee Corso talks on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the College Football Playoff. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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