Former Cleveland Browns star Bernie Kosar is set to undergo a crucial liver transplant on Monday, following a serious health struggle that included significant internal bleeding.
Medical Emergency and Delayed Procedure
The 61-year-old football legend announced the news from his hospital bed via a social media post on Sunday evening. Kosar's transplant was originally scheduled for last weekend but had to be postponed after doctors discovered the donor liver was infected.
This medical setback led to a challenging week for the former quarterback, who required five separate procedures to stop internal bleeding. In his post, Kosar expressed deep gratitude for the public's support, stating, "Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and support – it truly means the world to me."
Long-term Health Challenges
Kosar's current health crisis follows a diagnosis he revealed last year. In an interview with Cleveland Magazine, he confirmed he has cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease.
The former athlete disclosed that he had experienced liver-related problems for several years but had initially dismissed them as he was uncertain of their origin. A formal cirrhosis diagnosis in late 2023 confirmed the serious nature of his condition.
A Distinguished Football Career
Bernie Kosar enjoyed a remarkable 12-season career in the National Football League after first achieving fame by leading the University of Miami to its first national championship in the 1983 season.
Growing up as a Browns fan in Youngstown, Ohio, his dream came true when Cleveland selected him in the 1985 NFL supplemental draft. He played for the Browns from 1985 to 1993, guiding the team to three AFC championship game appearances in 1986, 1987, and 1989, though each resulted in defeat by the Denver Broncos.
Kosar remains third in franchise history with 21,904 passing yards. After his release from Cleveland, he joined the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of the 1993 season and earned a Super Bowl ring. He concluded his playing career with the Miami Dolphins from 1994 to 1996.
