Bernie Kosar Credits Browns Owners with Saving His Life, Embarks on ’Rest of His Life’
CLEVELAND, OH - Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar revealed a profound debt of gratitude to the team’s ownership, stating he “would not be alive without them,” as he publicly discussed his ongoing recovery and future plans. The revelation came as Kosar, who will turn 62 on November 25, declared, “This is the first day of the rest of my life.”
Kosar, a beloved figure in Cleveland sports history, played for the Browns from 1985 to 1993, leading the team to five playoff appearances in eight seasons. He entered the supplemental draft after leaving the University of miami early,driven by a desire to play for Cleveland.
However, a career marked by physical play also brought numerous injuries, including multiple head injuries. Kosar detailed the lasting impact of those injuries, saying, “I learned so much from that… all the head injuries I’ve had… all the pain.”
Crucially, Kosar credited Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, along with their son-in-law JW Johnson, with providing continuous financial support for his extensive medical care, wich he estimated to be “millions and millions” of dollars. “The Browns have paid my insurance all these years. I took that for granted. They didn’t have to do that,” he said.
Looking forward, Kosar expressed a desire to use his experiences to help others. ”I want to take this experience and help others to heal like I am,” he stated. He acknowledged a shift in his life’s expectations, moving beyond a vision of a long playing career followed by decades of public appearances.
Kosar also expressed appreciation for the enduring support of Browns fans throughout his career, saying, “the fans have always been great to me.”
