When people think of college football’s most beloved analyst, Lee Corso of ESPN is often the first name that comes to mind. However, many fans are unaware of his remarkable 64-year friendship with Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds.
Their journey began on the football fields of Florida State in the 1950s, forging an unbreakable bond that lasted until Reynolds’ passing in 2018.
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Lee Corso and Burt Reynolds shared more than just a brief college friendship; they were teammates and roommates at Florida State.
Their story began during a tackling drill in 1954 when Corso, a sophomore, was run over by a freshman named “Buddy” Reynolds.
“I was a sophomore, and he was a freshman. It was tackling practice. I had to tackle him, and he ran right over my a**. Boom. I said, “Who the hell was that?” and some guy said, “That’s Buddy Reynolds from West Palm Beach,” Corso recalled.
Both players showed significant promise on the field. In his freshman season, Reynolds rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Corso played both quarterback and defensive back, setting a Florida State record with 14 career defensive interceptions.
However, their paths soon diverged. When Reynolds announced his Hollywood ambitions, Corso was skeptical. After Reynolds returned from theater training, he told his friend, “I’m off to Hollywood to become a movie star.” Corso’s response was a simple, “Sure, good luck!”
Of course, Reynolds proved him wrong, becoming a major Hollywood star with iconic films like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “The Longest Yard.”
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Despite achieving global fame, Reynolds never forgot his Florida State roots or his old teammates. The two friends spoke monthly for decades, and Corso noted they were especially close “during the bad times.”
When Reynolds faced personal struggles, he would visit Corso’s family for comfort. During one particularly difficult period, Reynolds confided in his friend, telling him, “I really envy you. You have a wife and kids, and you seem truly happy.”
Their enduring friendship only concluded with Reynolds’ death in September 2018. In an emotional tribute, Corso perfectly captured the depth of their bond. “Burt and I were close friends for 64 years. It started when we were teammates at Florida State… He became the world’s biggest movie star, but he never forgot his old teammates at Florida State.”
Lee Corso takes a minute to remember the life of Burt Reynolds, his close friend of 64 years. pic.twitter.com/HoRmOUF2Ir
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 8, 2018
Their relationship serves as a perfect example of how a friendship that starts in college can extend throughout an entire lifetime.
