CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 11/12 RECEIVED: 11/22 (10 days) FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o ESPN
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Lee Corso was a great athlete and after high school was immediately identified by the Brookyn Dodgers as a baseball prospect to play short stop.
Opted to go to college instead at Florida State, where he played both defensive back and quarterback in college from 1953-1957.
Possessing great speed and anticipation, Corso set the school’s career interception record at the time with 14.
Although he had a successful college career, he was not selected in the NFL draft.
Went into coaching at the college ranks almost immediately, spending time at Maryland (1959-65) and Navy (1966-68) as a positional coach.
From there in 1969 Corso served as head coach of Louisville through 1972.
He’s perhaps most iconically known as head coach of Indiana, a role he served in from 1973-82.
Led the Hoosiers to two winning seasons, including an upset victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in the Holiday Bowl.
Finished 41-68-2 at Indiana.
Spent one year at Northern Illinois University going 4-6-1.
College coaching record is 73-85-6.
Head coach of the USFL Orlando Renegades in 1985, where he went 5-13.
Lee then joined the WLAF where he served as general manager of the Orlando Thunder for the 1991 season.
He was very excited to be a part of the venture, but due to ongoing commitments to ESPN, probably couldn’t return to the squad for their 1992 campaign.
Has been an analyst since 1987 for ESPN.
NOTES:
Lee Corso to me, is like the Dick Vitale of college football. He’s beloved by all and everybody loves his quips and antics. I tried him first via ESPN, but after that latest (and multiple other) failure(s), I think the door on TTM through the network is now closed. He has very few cards. I think he had a Press Pass Legends or something like that. -I think I flushed that on the first attempt that failed.
Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
Had extensive coaching career.
Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.
NOTES:
In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.
AFL/NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
3330
1552
22681
46.6
178
220
59.6
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
383
1522
4.0
23
33
CFL
*Stats not available pre-1959
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
52
23
373
44.2
4
4
N/a
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
4
20
5.0
0
15
P
YDS
AVG
LG
65
2497
38.4
58
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