Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar has bravely shared his ongoing struggle with multiple severe health issues, including liver failure and Parkinson’s disease.
The 60-year-old, who is best known for his time with the Cleveland Browns, opened up about his diagnosis and his journey through these challenging conditions.
Kosar revealed that an independent NFL doctor diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease in February. Shortly thereafter, in late spring, he was placed on a liver transplant list due to worsening liver failure. His health crisis came to a head during a Browns game against the New York Jets on December 28th, where he felt his body “gave out.”
“I really felt like I wasn’t going to make it home from the Jets game,” Kosar recounted. “I sucked it up, though, and continued to avoid the doctors until the new year. Then I went into the hospital and got a massive blood transfusion. It was like: ‘How are you alive? How are you moving? Because your hemoglobin levels are so low.'”
In January, doctors informed Kosar that he would likely need a liver transplant. His condition worsened in February, prompting Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer of Cleveland Clinic, to estimate a 90 percent chance that Kosar would require the transplant. Kosar’s health further declined during Super Bowl festivities in Las Vegas, leading to another hospital stay.
By March, Kosar’s situation had deteriorated significantly. “I wish you could have seen me three months ago,” he said. “Actually, maybe not, because I looked like death. I felt like death. E. Coli blood poisoning. Heart trouble. And I really thought I needed the liver transplant ASAP. I was in bad shape.”
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Despite the severity of his condition, Kosar has shown signs of improvement. Dr. Anthony Post, his physician, provided a cautiously optimistic update. “Liver disease does tend to fluctuate,” Post said. “So he’s on that wave thing where it goes up and down. He’s in a good phase right now, but anything bad could happen.”
Kosar admitted that he had been dealing with liver-related issues for years but had previously dismissed them due to a lack of clear diagnosis. His doctors have not pinpointed the exact cause of his liver failure but noted an unusually high level of organic solvent in his liver.
Even in retirement, Kosar remains a visible figure in the NFL community, frequently attending games and Super Bowl events. Last October, he made headlines by posing with Taylor Swift before a Kansas City Chiefs game against the Las Vegas Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. Swift, the girlfriend of Chiefs star Travis Kelce, joined Kosar for a pre-game gathering at Kelce’s house, highlighting Kosar’s continued engagement with the sport.
Kosar’s storied career began when he was drafted by the Browns with the first overall pick in the 1985 supplemental draft after a standout college career at the University of Miami. He led Cleveland to three AFC Championship game appearances before being released by then-Browns coach Bill Belichick. Kosar subsequently joined the Dallas Cowboys, where he won a Super Bowl as a backup quarterback in 1993, before finishing his career with the Miami Dolphins from 1994 to 1996.
Throughout his career, Kosar passed for 23,301 yards and threw 124 touchdown passes. However, his playing days also left him with numerous injuries, including broken bones, surgeries, seizures, and countless concussions.
As he navigates these health challenges, Kosar continues to reflect on his legacy and contributions to the game. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity remain an inspiration to many within and beyond the football community.
