Cleveland Browns Legend Bernie Kosar Faces Health Battle as Liver Transplant Is Delayed

Bernie Kosar has always been a fighter. You don’t spend nine seasons dodging defensive linemen, racking up nearly 22,000 passing yards and suffering an estimated 100 concussions without a surplus of grit. He’s the guy who stared down John Elway’s Broncos in three AFC Championships. But the battle Kosar faces now makes a blitzing linebacker look like a walk in the park.

The beloved former quarterback is currently in a hospital bed, awaiting a life-saving liver transplant while dealing with a cascade of terrifying health setbacks. It’s a gut-wrenching turn for a guy who once owned the city of Cleveland.

The Unforgiving Reality For Bernie Kosar

Just when things seemed to be looking up, Kosar was hit with a brutal one-two punch. He was scheduled for a liver transplant, the light at the end of a very dark tunnel, only to have it cruelly delayed. The donor organ, his ticket to a new lease on life, was found to be infected. It is the kind of plot twist you’d find unbelievable in a movie, but it’s Kosar’s grim reality.

As if that wasn’t enough, he then experienced internal bleeding, forcing doctors to perform “two aggressive procedures” to get it under control. From his hospital room, Kosar posted a video, asking for “love, support, and actual prayers

.” Ever the competitor, he even managed a little gallows humor, pointing out his “Steelers black and gold regulation university hospital attire.” Even in his darkest moments, the old quarterback’s wit remains as sharp as his passes once were.

The Long Road To This Moment

This health crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. Back in July, the 61-year-old revealed he was grappling with both cirrhosis of the liver and an early-stage Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. The physical toll of his playing days, a career that also included stints with the Cowboys and 

Dolphins, has been immense. Kosar has spoken about the 80 broken bones and countless concussions he endured, a stark reminder of the price paid for NFL glory.

He recalled his body finally “giving out” during a Browns game in December 2023. True to his tough-as-nails reputation, he put off seeing doctors until the new year, a decision that led to a massive blood transfusion. It’s been a long and grueling journey since, with constant procedures and the emotional weight of being on a transplant list for over a year.

For now, the Dawg Pound and the entire NFL world hold their breath, sending their prayers and support to a legend facing his ultimate opponent. This isn’t a game against the Broncos; it’s a fight for his life. And if there’s one thing we know about Bernie Kosar, it’s that he never, ever goes down without a fight.