Saturday morning, former kicker-turned-analyst Pat McAfee stripped down to a Speedo and dove off Miami’s high dive to end College GameDay. The wild stunt caught legendary GameDay alum Lee Corso’s attention back home, prompting a worried phone call about electrocution risks.
Why Did Lee Corso Call Pat McAfee After His Miami Dive?
In a recent Instagram video, McAfee showed himself on a live phone call with Lee Corso after his dramatic high-dive performance at Miami. The ESPN host revealed that Corso called him because he was pumped McAfee didn’t get electrocuted during Saturday’s College GameDay finale.
McAfee had marched from the GameDay desk to Miami’s high dive, climbed the ladder, stripped down to a Speedo, and picked the Hurricanes to beat Florida before diving into the pool below. The stunt was McAfee’s own wild way to close the program.
In his Instagram post, McAfee expressed his gratitude for the legendary analyst’s concern. “I got a call from an icon who was pumped I didn’t get electrocuted,” McAfee wrote. I’m so thankful and lucky to get to do what I do. THANKS FOR PAVING THE WAY, COACH CORSO.”
During the phone call, McAfee made a heartfelt promise to the GameDay legend.
“I’m just going to try to pay tribute, man, and do what the show deserves,” McAfee told Corso, acknowledging the weight of following in his footsteps.
What’s the Connection Between McAfee’s Dive and Corso’s Pencil?
McAfee’s dive wasn’t just a random stunt but a deliberate nod to Corso’s famous No. 2 pencil. Corso has worked as director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga since 1992, making his pencil-waving on GameDay both a personal quirk and professional endorsement.
The yellow No. 2 pencil became one of college football’s most recognizable props during Corso’s 38-year ESPN tenure. The Instagram post showed McAfee had framed his picks sheet from Corso’s final headgear game at Ohio State, which Corso signed with his Ticonderoga pencil on the field.
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“On the wall behind me is my picks page from the rundown of Corso’s final headgear game at Ohio State,” McAfee explained. “I asked Coach to sign it with his Ticonderoga on the field. He did and told me, ‘Your turn now, Pat.’”
During their phone conversation, McAfee apologized for not having his microphone when he mentioned doing the “Ticonderoga Pencil” dive to honor Corso’s signature prop. McAfee revealed he performed the tribute dive for Corso the day before their phone conversation. “I was a bit emotional that he saw it and called me,” McAfee admitted.
While McAfee’s stunt drew mixed reactions from fans, the phone call revealed the mutual respect between college football’s past and future. The conversation between the 89-year-old broadcasting legend and his energetic successor shows McAfee has Corso’s blessing to honor the GameDay legacy in his own high-energy way.