Lee Corso: Is He the Most Beloved Sports Analyst on TV Today?

Lee Corso was presented with the Contribution to College Football Award last night, but it's not the honor that has people talking.

It's the emotional, tear-jerking speech that that the College Gameday host gave after accepting the award.

Corso thanked the show's crew for helping him recover from a stroke he suffered nearly two years ago, and he found himself wiping away tears as well.

Last night, it was all about Lee Corso, who is one of America's favorite sports analysts on TV today.

But is he America's most beloved analyst?

Of course there are two sides to this one.

So it's time to debate.

5. No: He's Too

It's hard to criticize someone's mental capability after they've suffered a stroke, but one of the biggest knocks on Lee Corso is the fact that his mind sometimes seems to take off in a UFO. 

Like Woody Paige on Around the Horn, Corso is often just "out there".

He says something and you can't help but wonder what the hell he was talking about (or thinking).

Like this for example.

I don't even think he realizes that he can't go around dropping sexual innuendos on national television.

5. Yes: He's Old!

Unless you're stuck behind a 90-year-old man driving 35 mph on the interstate, you always have sympathy for old people.

I mean, how many people can sit there and honestly say they hate Regis Philbin or Betty White?

You can't, and it's because they're old.

Well, Corso's getting up there in age—he's 75.

And you have to have respect for someone who's three fourths of the way to 100 but still showing the zest for life that most 18-year-olds lack.

4. No: His Coaching Credentials Aren't Great

It's almost impossible to take some announcers seriously.

For example, how am I supposed to listen to anything Matt Millen says about the NFL?

He single-handedly set the Detroit Lions franchise back six or seven years.

Well, some people have that view of Corso as well because his career coaching record is 73-85-6.

It's not like he was even an above average coach, which makes people wonder why they should even care what he has to say.

4. Yes: He Appeals To All Demographics

Younger kids love Lee Corso because he's a funny old man.

College age kids love Corso because he's a bit off his rocker.

And older people love Corso because he's someone they can relate to.

In other words, people of all ages are fans of Lee Corso.

After all, who doesn't like a guy who decides to drop an F-bomb on the nation's most popular college football show?

3. No: You Can't Pick Just One Guy

There are no statistics readily available, but there are an absurd amount of sports analysts/announcers on TV.

I'm not even going to venture a guess because there are certainly too many to account for.

You've got to consider all the major sports and levels (college and pros), and you have to consider how many people hate those announcers as well.

So is there even one "most beloved" announcer? 

Anointing one guy with that title opens up a can of worms.

3. Yes: He Seems Like A Genuinely Nice Person

If you watch someone like Jim Rome, you immediately think, "Wow, that dude's a douchebag."

If you watch someone like Lee Corso, you think, "Man, he'd probably be a pretty cool guy."

Not like "let's go to the bar and get hammered" cool.

More like "he'd be a pretty fun grandpa" cool.

Corso just seems like a down-to-earth guy who wouldn't be a prick like a lot of other TV personalities.

2. No: He's Not Great at His Job

Even those who love Lee Corso will tell you that he's not exactly the greatest college football analyst to ever grace our TV screens. 

While Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler provide the viewer with a ton of information or interesting details, it's a rare occasion to see Corso do the same.

He hardly ever says anything insightful, he often appears lost and he doesn't really add any context to College Gameday.

I mean, we're not expecting Corso to be an encyclopedia here, but a general understanding of what he's talking about should always be a top priority.

And that just isn't always the case.

2. Yes: His Enthusiasm Is Evident In His Work

You've all seen the sports analysts who drone on and on like robots programmed to stick to a script.

Lee Corso isn't one of them.

Every time he appears on College Gameday, it looks like the guy is having the greatest day of his life.

You would think that picking the game of the day was equivalent to hitting the lottery, finding out you have superhuman capabilities and marrying a supermodel at the same time.

Seriously though, Corso shows more enthusiasm about his job than just about any sports analyst in recent memory.

1. No: He's Over-The-Top

Craig Jones/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 26: ESPN College GameDay announcer Lee Corso dons an FSU headress as co-announcers (l to r) Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit comment during the NCAA football game between Notre Dame and Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium on

For every person that loves Lee Corso, there's probably another who can't stand him.

Some people mistake his energy and excitement for over-the-top, obnoxious behavior, the sole purpose of which is to draw ratings for College Gameday.

I'll admit it, at times Corso looks a lot more like a guy who chugged two Red Bulls and three shots of espresso than a guy who simply loves his job.

His habit of donning the mascot headgear and his general in-your-face personality are too much to handle in high doses.

People just want Corso to slow his roll a little bit. That's all.  

1. Yes: He Survived a Stroke

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: College football analyst Lee Corso looks on as the Georgia Bulldogs face host South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2004 in Columbia, South Carolina. Georgia defeated South Carol

Everyone loves a heartwarming story--that's why Lifetime is still in existence.

And Lee Corso certainly provides viewers with a touching tale of perseverance and fortitude.

His path back to the set after suffering a stroke two years ago provides us all with a very good reason to like him.

Because let's face it, if you don't feel bad for someone who had a stroke, you pretty much have no heart.

The Verdict: Is Lee Corso The Most Beloved Sports Analyst on TV Today?

Lee Corso has his fair share of haters, who find him a bit too crazy and incredibly uniformed.

But he also has a legion of fans, who find his story inspirational and his sense of humor enjoyable.

So is he liked enough to be considered the most beloved sports analyst currently on TV?

Well, I wouldn't go there just yet.

Corso is certainly loved, and he'll always be remembered as a lighthearted, fun-loving individual.

But there are just too many analysts to consider him the "most beloved."

The Verdict: He's up there, but there's no clear cut No. 1.

So what are your thoughts, guys? Who are some of the most beloved analysts in sports today?