Tag: Bernie Kosar

Browns legend Bernie Kosar reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis

The diagnosis came in February for Kosar

In an interview with Cleveland Magazine, former Cleveland Browns legend Bernie Kosar it was revealed that he needs a liver transplant. He also revealed he is in the middle early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Kosar, who is 60, was diagnosed back in February of this year while also being told he would need the transplant.

“My body gave out on me. I really felt like I wasn’t going to make it home from the Jets game. 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.’’

Kosar was the last great Browns quarterback who performed consistently over time and is beloved by Browns fans, young and old. We will continue to follow this story as we wish all the best for the legend.

Ex-Browns star Bernie Kosar needs liver transplant, shows signs of Parkinson’s

Ex-Browns QB Bernie Kosar is battling serious health issues

Sad news out of Cleveland this Tuesday. Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar needs a liver transplant and has Parkinson’s disease.

The 60-year-old Kosar was placed on the transplant list in the spring. His doctor, Anthony Post of University Hospital, says there has been improvement but things can change quickly with liver disease.

“Liver disease does tend to fluctuate,” Post told Cleveland Magazine. “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.”

The news broke via Clevelandmagazine.com:

“I have an incredibly specific regimen of juicing, black coffee and smart supplementation,’’ Kosar said. “Digestive enzymes are part of it. Intermittent fasting. Basically, I’m using food as medicine and avoiding the processed foods, the foods with inflammatory properties.

“It’s amazing that you can feel as good as I do despite all this stuff going on. I can see that what I’m doing is making a difference. I strongly believe it will continue. Time will tell.’’

Kosar played college football at the University of Miami. He was the first pick (overall) in the 1985 NFL Supplemental draft. He spent 12 years in the NFL, nine with the Browns. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys.

“I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking,’’ he says. “For me, it’s not just a slogan. I believe that positive energy can be manifested in our brains, and I love to live in the space of positivity. I want to think about things that are helpful. It sounds like I’m getting on a soap box here, but I visualize good health. It’s not so much that I’m trying to sell it to myself, or that I’m in denial, as it is choosing to be positive. Because everybody’s got something. We’ve all got health issues to some degree, we all have bumps in the road.’’

Former Browns QB Bernie Kosar files lawsuit against local media network

The former QB is alleging breach of contract, patterns of abuse, and being forced to wrongfully place a bet that cost him his job with the team

During the 2022 season, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar lost his media job with the team after he placed a bet on them to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, that bet is the centerpiece of a lawsuit between Kosar and digital media company BIGPLAY. Kosar is alleging that he was forced by the media company, who Kosar had a contract with to provide services for, to place that $19,000 bet against his will and with his own money instead of with the company’s cash.

Kosar claims that he was to appear in two events quarterly for Big Play, but they were to be mutually agreed upon. The former quarterback states that instead of these mutual agreements, BIGPLAY and owner Kendall Myles would force him into events as well.

As Kosar continued to express conflicts of interest, as the events were not mutually agreed upon, the quarterback alleges verbal assault from Myles, including a threat to fight him. Kosar also alleges that Myles tried to strongarm him into signing a “Mutual Termination Agreement” and when he declined to do so, he was terminated with cause.

Kosar is seeking $850,000 in damages from BIGPLAY.

Is Bernie Kosar the best supplemental draft pick in NFL history?

With the supplemental draft on Tuesday, we take a look at the history of the event and wonder if Bernie Kosar was the best-ever selection.

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The NFL supplemental draft is set to take place on Tuesday, with former Purdue wide receiver Milton Wright and former Jackson State WR Malachi Wideman entering their names. The Cleveland Browns have made two picks in the history of the supplemental draft, which began in 1977, landing quarterback Bernie Kosar (1985) and WR Josh Gordon (2012).

This has us thinking: Is Kosar the best selection ever to come out of the event? Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon thinks he may just be. Here is what Risdon had to say:

“The Cleveland Browns selected Kosar from the University of Miami (FL) in the first round of the 1985 supplemental draft. Kosar led the Browns to four postseason berths in his first six seasons.”

Risdon also listed Gordon under the honorable mention section of the article. Gordon, without a doubt, would have been the best player to ever come out of the event if he could have stayed on the field for a full career.

Could Wright or Wideman end up with the Browns? We will have our eyes peeled today.

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The 5 best picks in NFL supplemental draft history

Ranking the best players ever selected in the NFL Supplemental Draft

The NFL will hold its supplemental draft on Tuesday. It will be the first time since 2019 the event, which allows players whose draft eligibility has changed since the regular draft period to be selected, will take place.

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There have been over 40 players selected in the supplemental draft over the years, dating back to the first in 1977. Here are the five best players who came out of the supplemental draft ranks.

22 named to inaugural class of the National High School Football Hall of Fame

Today the names of 22 of them were chosen.

Last week we shared a list of 50 legends of the game that were eligible to be inducted into the inaugural National High School Football Hall of Fame class. Today the names of 22 of them were chosen to be enshrined.

According to a press release from Russell Johnson, here is the 2023 inaugural National High School Football Hall of Fame class.

1. RB Jim Brown: Manhasset High School Class of 1953
2. Coach Paul Brown: Massillon Washington High School Class of 1925
3. QB Bernie Kosar: Boardman High School Class of 1981
4. QB Archie Payton: Drew High School Drew Class of 1967
5. QB Peyton Manning: Isidore Newman High School Class of 1994
6. QB Eli Manning: Isidore Newman High School Class of 1998
7. QB Cooper Manning: Isidore Newman High School Class of 1992
8. RB Mike Doss: Canton McKinley High School Class of 1998
9. LB Chris Speillman: Massillon Canton, Ohio Class of 1983
10. Coach Thom McDaniels: Canton McKinley High School, Ohio
11. RB Kevin Mack: Kings Mountain High School Class of 1981
12. DB Ray Freeman: Warrensville Hts High School Class of 1981
13. RB Marcus Dupree: Philadelphia High School Class of 1981
14. RB Archie Griffin: Eastmoor High School Class of 1971
15. RB Greg Cameron: University High School Class of 1980
16. RB/LB Jerry Ball: Position West Brock High School Class of 1983
17. DT Horace Sheffield: Cass Tech High School Class of 1972
18. Coach Ted Ginn, Sr. Coach at Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio
19. OT Lomas Brown: Miami Springs High School Class of 1983
20. ATH Greg Kampe: Defiance High School, Ohio Class of 1973
21. Coach Don Nehlen: Coach at Canton McKinley High School, Ohio
22. RB Marion Motley: Canton McKinley High Class of 1939

These individuals will be officially enshrined at the NHSFHOF in Canton, Ohio on Sunday, July 30th at the Timken Career Campus.

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Bernie Kosar lost his Browns radio gig for betting on them to beat the Steelers

You can’t do that, Bernie.

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar was relieved of his duties as a Browns radio personality Sunday due to a bet he placed on the team’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kosar bet $19,000 on a Browns win in a ceremonial first bet shortly after legal betting went live in Ohio on New Year’s Day. He was planning to donate the winnings to charity. However, the bet was in violation of the NFL’s gambling policy.

NFL rules prohibit team personnel from betting on games. Kosar announced his ousting in a tweet shortly before kickoff. The team later confirmed in a statement the reason.

Kosar, who played nine years for the Browns from 1985-93, wasn’t exactly trying to keep the bet a secret. There was video of the ceremonial first bet, and his show’s Twitter account tweeted about it.

It’s hard to imagine he would have placed the bet or publicly broadcasted it had he been aware of the rules. Either way, ignorance isn’t usually a good defense for breaking rules.

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Deshaun Watson, Bernie Kosar, Kevin Mack have dinner together Thursday night

Past meets present/future, present/future embraces the past as Kosar and Mack dine with Watson on the first night of the NFL draft:

The Cleveland Browns hope the addition of Deshaun Watson is finally the long-term answer at quarterback that has been a hole since Bernie Kosar was tossing around the ball. Vinnie Testaverde, Derek Anderson and Baker Mayfield had their moments at the position but none secured it for more than a couple of years.

Watson has a chance to do that now with a long-term contract secured and a great resume early in his career. The Browns will need to surround him with the right cast of players and coaches to ensure his spot as the next great quarterback in the franchise history and the off the field problems must become a thing of the past.

Thursday night, while the NFL draft was going on, Cleveland’s past met Cleveland’s present and future for dinner with Kosar and Watson being joined by Kevin Mack and an unidentified fourth diner:

It is doubtful that Watson will ever have a chance to rise to the level of Kosar in the eyes of Browns fans but, perhaps, he can outdo him by taking the team to the Super Bowl.

It is good to see Kosar and Mack embrace Watson as the team looks toward the future with the former Clemson star running the show. Watson embracing the legacy of the team’s history shows a player who understands their connection to his new team.

Watch: Browns legends deliver inspiration to the team for the 1st playoff game since 2002

Bernie Kosar, Joe Thomas, Webster Slaughter and more offered up their hype for the game

It’s been a long time since the Cleveland Browns played in a postseason game. Too long. That ends tonight when the Browns visit Pittsburgh to face the Steelers.

The 18-year drought between playoff berths created a lot of pent-up energy and excitement amongst Browns fans. Several former Browns players feel it too, and they let the team know how important it is to them in a series of video messages for the players and the fans.

First up is Bernie Kosar, one of the most popular Browns of all-time. The quarterback in Cleveland during several playoff thrill-rides in the 1980s, Kosar is ready to roll,

One of Kosar’s favorite targets, wide receiver Webster Slaughter, has had his gameday outfit ready since Monday. He closes with the energy we all need,

Big back Kevin Mack also offered his support and enthusiasm,

Longtime kicker Phil Dawson is ready, too,

Wideout Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins shows off his lighter side and fires the team up at the same time,

Finally, Joe Thomas offers his energy and positivity. Thomas never got to taste the postseason in his decade with the Browns, but it clearly means a lot to him to see some former teammates get that chance,

Throwback Thursday: Giants lose heartbreaker to Browns in 1985

In the latest Giants Wire Throwback Thursday, we go back to 1985 when the New York Giants lost a heartbreaker to the Cleveland Browns.

The New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns were once fierce NFL rivals. Going back to the 1950s, players such as Jim Brown, Sam Huff, Frank Gifford and Lou Groza were fixtures at two iconic venues, Yankee Stadium and Municipal Stadium.

As part of a merger, Paul Brown took his powerful Browns team from the All-America Football Conference to the NFL in 1950 along with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts and made an immediate impact on their new league, winning the NFL championship in their first season and then playing in the championship game in six of the next seven years, winning two more titles.

After a five-year playoff drought, the Browns returned to the playoffs in 1964, winning their last NFL championship to date. The Browns remained relevant throughout the 1960s under new owner Art Modell, making the playoffs in each of the next eight seasons, but never got back to the championship game.

When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Browns were one of the three NFL teams (along with Baltimore and Pittsburgh) to join the AFC in order to even out the conferences at 13 teams apiece. That’s when the Giants and Browns, who had played 41 times over the 20 years since Cleveland joined the NFL, became estranged. And both franchises went into the tank for the better part of the next decade and half.

But in the mid-1980s, both clubs were ascending. In 1985, the Browns were in their first full season under head coach Marty Schottenheimer and the Giants were beginning their run as an NFC heavyweight under Bill Parcells. Both teams entered the game vying for first place in their respective divisions.

In Week 13, the 8-4 Giants hosted the 6-6 Browns at Giants Stadium. The calendar had turned to December that day, and it was a typical North Jersey afternoon with temperatures in the mid-30s and winds whipping in all directions.

The Giants opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run by Joe Morris. Cleveland answered with a 42-yard touchdown run by Kevin Mack. Giants quarterback Phil Simms was picked off by Hanford Dixon, leading to another Cleveland score, a 2-yard dive by Earnest Byner. Al Gross returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown, giving the Browns a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.

The Giants then scored 14 unanswered points — on a 58-yard touchdown run by Morris and a 29-yard touchdown strike from Simms to Bobby Johnson — to narrow the score to 21-20 at halftime.

The Giants opened the second half by scoring 13 points on two Eric Schubert field goals and Morris’ third touchdown of the game. Those drives were set up by an interception by safety Terry Kinard and a fumble recovery by linebacker Byron Hunt.

The Giants had a 33-21 fourth-quarter lead, and with their defense, the game seemed over. But Cleveland wasn’t done. They rallied behind their powerful running game and rookie quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was dealing with a shoulder injury.

The Browns scored two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to pull ahead, 35-33 (Kosar was replaced by veteran Gary Danielson in the third quarter but then was reinserted in the fourth when Danielson was injured).

The Giants had one last drive in them and ended up attempting a 34-yard field goal to win the game in the final seconds. But Schubert’s line-drive attempt went wide to the left, sealing the Browns’ victory.

The Giants went on to finish the season 10-6. They defeated the 49ers, 17-3, in the wild-card game before getting embarrassed by the Bears in Chicago, 21-0, in the divisional round the next week.

Cleveland won the AFC Central with an 8-8 record. They lost in the divisional round, 24-21, to Miami.

In 1986, the Giants steamrolled through the NFC and into the Super Bowl. The Browns went 12-4 and had the top seed in the AFC. They beat the Jets in overtime in the divisional round and then were victimized by John Elway and the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game by “The Drive” — or they would have faced the Giants in Super Bowl XXI.

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