Not so fast, says Lee Corso

Posted Jun 1, 2009 by Tom McEwen

Updated Jun 3, 2009 at 11:36 AM

We all felt certain it would take more than a stroke to keep Lee Corso from talking.

And it has.

Mouths a word or two, but that will smooth out by the time he works his first ESPN college football game between Alabama and Virginia Tech next September. And surely the use of the right hand, thumb and forefinger will limber up for his continued gestures.

The great, great thing about this show-stopper is that even a stroke that hits like lightning, relented to this relentless commentator, this former coach, this former Florida State back, this fine and favorite man of we in the multitudes as he has, with the help of family (led by wife Betsy) and docs and friends, who would not give in, will, we bet you, will be on air in September good as ever or better.

Lee Corso talks fast, walks fast, coaches fast, reacts fast, was quick in the FSU background and on the sidelines as a coach, and so far is fast recovering from that August 16 surprise. Now, we all knew Corso, a favorite around our part of the world, hometown of his bride, was quick on the draw, fast-thinking, fast-talking, almost always smiling, patient as the audience, special as the speaker or story teller, and, well, I guess those who think but don’t know might have said Lee Corso may have been a candidate for that blood flow interruption, or slow down, that causes what we call strokes.

“He went out to get the newspaper in the morning, a pretty good walk, giving Lee time to recite the Lord’s Prayer, which he does,’’ said Betsy, “came back into the house, and sat down. I came in, he turned around looked dazed, and couldn’t talk.’’

“I just couldn’t,’’ said Corso. “And if I can’t talk there is something wrong.’’

Betsy loaded Corso into the car and they went to the small hospital near their Lake Mary home. He was moved around to others in Orlando for special treatment. The damages did not spread, like it surely could have. He’s home, under the care and watch and in the prayers of his lineup of sons and daughters.

“I drive a mile and little to my office at Ticonderoga but carefully, of course. I’m going to be all right. My thumb and forefinger don’t work quite right, but hopefully they will,’’ said Corso. “The Lord stepped in, I am sure of that.’’ Corso had called about a trip he and Betsy had planned two years ago to The Holy Land. Didn’t go, as Linda and I did.

“I think I got the message,’’ said Corso, with the strokes. “Be careful, be good.’’

In truth, Lee Corso has no excesses. He works the ESPN college games with good friends Chris Fowler, Desmond Howard and Herb Streit, a popular, informative show on a different college campus each weekend. Got nothing to grind. They just work the events. Just report, with commentary as needed, a program on which Corso developed the line, “Not so fast, my friend.’’ It is a courteous counter, not a stopper. The students on campus visited the gang.

  “I’ll be there,’’ said Corso. “I am just grateful for this great job and for my, family—something that is emphasized when you are stopped in your tracks like I was — living in Florida and all who have helped me through the years. That is a long list.’

Corso and I have been associates since he played for FSU, including against the University of Tampa. He has always been a friend of this great place in which we live and happy for the opportunity to join in behind the mikes at Raymond James, a long way from where he played the Spartans at Old Phillips Field,  now Berkeley Prep.

Now, if you call Lee at Ticonderoga, long time business associates, he says he’s not there but please call back and that, “Life is Good.’’

Not sure Lee Corso knew how good, until the other day when he tried to respond to Betsy and could not.

Now, he’s sure, and the Lee Corso faith and recovery story can inspire us all.