The day ESPN’s College GameDay show announced they’d be broadcasting from Los Angeles, I got about 187,000,000,000 texts, tweets, and emails asking if I’d heard the news. As if my sworn enemy could come to town without me knowing? Nope. Whenever Lee Corso gets within 300 miles of me, my hair stands on end.
I told Mike that Corso was coming to town.
Mike: *sigh* Does that mean you’re going to go to the show and hold up a sign?
Heather: Uh, DUH.
Mike: You know you’re 32 years old, right?
Heather: …and your point is…?
Mike: Please don’t get arrested.
Heather: *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* FINE.
I got up before dawn on Saturday to drive down to the LA Memorial Coliseum, home to the USC Trojans and the location for the GameDay broadcast. The show starts at 7am in Los Angeles – brutal! Nonetheless, there was a good-sized crowd for that time of day. I met my friends Brianne and Derek and we quickly put our signs together.
My sign was inspired by how lame Lee Corso is. He’s so lame, I bet his house sucks on Halloween (unlike mine!):
It’s funny because it’s probably true. Thanks, Matt!
The key to getting a sign on GameDay is patience. The show is two hours long, so there is plenty of time to figure out the best location for maximum exposure. The craziest fans are in the pit right behind the stage. We always stick to the outside of the crowd. It’s easier to move around, and if you’re quick on your feet, you can get seen on a tight shot:
This time, we even found ourselves unexpectedly on camera, although it was an aerial shot so you really had to know to look for me in my hat and sunglasses:
After my sign was on TV, a security guard came right over to where I was standing. I started to sweat until he leaned in and took the sign of the guy standing next to me. Even though I knew my sign was tame compared to years’ past, I was still relieved. The guard came back a few minutes later, and this time he was there for me.
Guard: I just wanted to tell you your sign is the nicest one we’ve seen about Corso today. Lee likes it.
Me: I have failed.
Guard: Uh, what?
Corso liked my sign. LIKED. IT. It was supposed to at least sting a little! Dang.
It may have been an extended olive branch, but I’m not one who forgives easily.
You’re still my enemy, Lee Corso.
Ali says:
Oh my gosh, every time I read of your signs and Corso, I crack UP.
Love it. But no worries, you’ll have another shot at getting him back, I am sure.
Jenn says:
You’re so funny!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Have so much fun with Annie tonight!! xo
Ysaan Proks says:
can someone explain to me who this Corso person is? I’m from Australia so i have no idea but I am quite disappointed that he LIKED your sign. you will have to go meaner next time
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
LOL – too fun!
Megan says:
I’m sure you’ve heard the Corso v.s. Virginia Tech story, but in case you haven’t: in 2ooo, VT was set to play Georgia Tech at the beginning of the season, and during GameDay, Corso picked GT to win over VT and suggested VT was overrated. Moments later, his car was struck by lightning. (The game was ultimately canceled due to bad weather.) He later said, “I don’t know what a Hokie is, but God sure is one of them.”
I like your sign. And Corso liked it because it was true.
Adrianne says:
OMG, awesome! I was watching Game Day on Saturday morning, like we always do, when I saw YOUR sign. I thought to myself, I wonder if that’s Heather’s sign?! Sounds like something she’d write. I had a moment of wishing we were real friends so I could text and ask:) I knew it!!
Haha good job! Sorry Corso liked it, but glad you didn’t get removed or arrested! Oh and what a CRAZY game!
Pattie says:
I don’t follow sports at all. To the point that looking at that last picture in this post, I thought “Is that Mel Brooks?” Congrats on your sign’s almost-notoriety, though. Getting on TV — not too shabby.
AngieM. says:
me too pattie, me too…lol
Pattie says:
Nice to know I’m not alone, AngieM.
Lydia says:
I went to Virginia Tech, and I have to say, the lightening strike incident is the best story. Lee never picks against my Hokies anymore!! But I admire your resolve to keep him in line, the signs are awesome.
Megan says:
I went to Tech too! Hokies are everywhere.
Shannon O says:
I remember that you don’t like Corso, but I don’t remember why. Can you do a look back at where it started?
Heather says:
I’ve written about him here: http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/heather/corso-vs-spohr/
and here: http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/heather/corsos-revenge/
Shannon O says:
Thanks Heather!
Giselle says:
I love your sign! Lee Corso obviously doesn’t get it.
Amy says:
Just shows how different you and him are – you thought that was a burn,he thought it was awesome. I’m with you.
Zoë says:
These stories crack me up every time. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Kelly says:
Glad you didn’t get arrested. Your sign is hilarious.
Goon Squad Sarah says:
This might be the greatest story ever told. Remind me to tailgate with you from now on.
Jacqueline says:
He liked it.. proving that he is lame and he DOES give out pencils on halloween…how lame! LOL
JEllis in Cleveland says:
My husband was even watching this year for your sign.
Rachel says:
Just saw this on the Daily What… thought of you! http://thedailywh.at/2011/10/29/screenshot-of-the-day/
Kristin says:
HA!! Too funny!
I saw you and your sign. I was out of the room and my husband paused it and yelled for me “They are showing the sign now!!” LOL
Emerald says:
You really made me laugh! You’re one crazy gal, do you know that? Luckily you didn’t get caught!
Dee says:
I see where you went wrong – it was the pencils. You should’ve picked raisins! They’re not only boring, but **shudder** healthy, while also implying his age.
Nanette says:
Or walnuts! We always seemed to find the damn house giving out WALNUTS at Halloween. WTH?
Dee says:
Eww!
Brooke says:
Kirk Herbstreit is so pretty. That’s all I wanted to add.
I watched Gameday while I ran on the treadmill and was trying to figure out which one was yours!
Rebecca says:
So who won the game?
St Louis Cardinals won the World Series so anything other than that is out of my field of vision right now.
Pray Albert Pujols stays with the Cardinals
Tony Retired! OMG!!!!!
anne says:
your sign is on College Game Days facebook page as one of the “week 9-top 5 signs”! haha i saw it right after i read your post!
http://www.facebook.com/collegegameday
Lacy says:
When I see Lee Corso I think of you. Makes me laugh everytime. There’s always next year.
Kim says:
Heather, you have been KILLING it with hilarity lately! No joke. Your blog has been making me lolz lately. Brava, lady.
AmazingGreis says:
I love when GameDay goes to LA. I want to come hang out there with you one year!!
Toni says:
You are so funny. My husband and I always watch Game Day. We are big time Oregon Duck fans. Anyway I saw your sign and was telling my husband about it! Love it!
Veronika says:
This had me giggling out loud. Thanks for that! LOL
edenland says:
Oh I admire your perserverance. It’s like YOU’RE the athlete.
It's Better says:
I KNEW that was your sign! I read it and immediately thought of you! Nice work lady… way to know your way around Game Day!
Janelle says:
I kept seeing that sign on Saturday and chuckled.
karin says:
Heather,
I am with you. As a TRUE Buckeye fan, I too have an enemy – desmond howard- BOO HISS
I love watching ESPN Gameday.
btw-cute sign
G says:
Heather,
Your sign is in the running for GameDay best sign. GO VOTE for your sign
http://espn.go.com/college-football/gameday
you are at 46%
YEAH!!!! go Heather
Kellye says:
Holtz can’t handle the troof!!!
HAHAHAHAHAH I had to think about that one for awhile. I love it.
Leigh Elliott says:
i love it!!!!!!!!! hot damn Heather you crack me up!!!!!!
Leigh Elliott says:
I just voted for your sign, you’re in the lead!!!!!
Tara says:
Just barely caught a glimspe of your sign on the Tosh blog and was wondering if that was the sign that was taken away… the one to your right hehe
http://tosh.comedycentral.com/blog/2011/11/02/what-do-espn-and-penis-have-in-common/?xrs=synd_facebook
Heather says:
YES! I laugh every time I think about it!
Dee Dee says:
These stories crack me up! Freakin’ hilarious. Note to self: Don’t read the blog in bed on my iPhone….laughter will wake up the house. haha
Ray says:
You’re so funny, Heather! =P I love how into things you get. You have so much fun. ;o)
Kara says:
Your sign made it on a popular site called reddit. My husband was laughing about a post I said what an he showed me an I screamed…THAT IS HEATHERS SIGN!
Heather says:
Really? You’ll have to send me the link!!!
Kara says:
I emailed the link hope you get it.
Bianca Pellet says:
Hi Heather,
Could you please explain all of this to a confused Brit?! I must say I don’t really “get” the humour/the point of this whole Corso thing and am hoping you’ll be able to let me and other European readers in on it. With thanks
Heather says:
It’s all tongue-in-cheek. But if you look at the links to old posts about him (from the beginning of the post) you’ll see how it all started!