The 61-year-old Kosar has had multiple procedures at University Hospitals this week to deal with bleeding issues.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns legend Bernie Kosar shared a positive health update from his hospital bed on Sunday morning.
Hours before, as he put it, “the new Browns play the old Browns,” Kosar shared in a video update that he has a “real chance” at a liver transplant happening on Sunday.
“I’m super excited slash a little anxious now because I’m about to get the word that it really looks like the reality of the potential of having a liver transplant on Sunday game day.”
In an update Sunday afternoon, Kosar said he is still waiting for the transplant, but is “keeping faith and staying positive.”
“This next 48 hours really looks it’s one of the closest things I’m going to have to really starting over and starting fresh,” Kosar said in the video. “Was hoping exactly to have it going in about eight or 10 hours, but any time now, looking statistically a lot better than the last few weeks when I had a couple failed attempts at this.”
Kosar also thanked the Haslam-Johnson family and the Browns organization, which honored the legendary former quarterback on the stadium’s video screen before Cleveland’s bout with the Ravens.
Kosar has spent the last week battling internal bleeding as he waits for a life-saving liver transplant.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, Kosar posted a video to his social media platforms stating that he had “a little procedure” done already and was “going back down a little bit later.”
“Really still can’t stop the bleeding, but really trying to stay positive and can’t thank you all (enough) for your love and support out there,” he added. “Have a winning day. God bless you and ‘U Matter.”
Concern and support for the beloved former Browns quarterback have been growing since he posted a video on his social media platforms on Wednesday morning from the hospital.
In the video, Kosar indicated that due to an infection, he was not able to have a liver transplant last weekend. After experiencing bleeding on Monday morning, Kosar had two “aggressive procedures” on Tuesday and had a third procedure on Wednesday.
“All the duress right now, I could really use your love, support, and prayers today,” Kosar said in the video.
On Thursday, Kosar underwent a fourth and a fifth surgical procedure to deal with excessive bleeding.
In a text, Kosar, 61, told 3News Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins that he needed another procedure Thursday morning following bleeding issues that occurred overnight. Kosar then confirmed to our Jay Crawford that he underwent his fifth procedure later in the day. He also posted a video to his Facebook page just before 3 p.m.
“I want to say how great I’m doing, but wow, the bleeding came back way aggressively in the middle of the night, so finishing up my fifth procedure,” he reported, adding that it was 11:45 a.m. at the time.
Kosar’s family is supporting a GoFundMe campaign set up to assist him with hospital bills. Click here to find out how you can donate.
You can watch Kosar’s hospital video below:
BERNIE’S HEALTH BACKGROUND
Last year, Kosar told 3News’ Jay Crawford that he was in need of a liver transplant and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Kosar first shared the news in an article from Cleveland Magazine, stating that he was placed on the liver transplant list in late spring. In addition, he told Cleveland Magazine that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February 2024.
“I’m not running from it, I’m not going to hide from it,” Kosar told Crawford. “A lot of us have issues, some a little more extreme than others. There’s people that got worse stuff than me going on right now.”
One of Kosar’s doctors, Dr. Michael Roizen from Cleveland Clinic, told Cleveland Magazine that “there is more than a 90% chance that Kosar will need a new liver.” 3News Senior Health Correspondent Monica Robins later spoke to Rozien, who said Kosar has adjusted his diet to more vegetables, lean protein, and even a simple supplement that may surprise some people.
“Black coffee helps the liver heal,” Roizen said. “It also helps prevent — and we don’t we don’t know the mechanism of all this — but it also helps prevent dementia from both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and probably other forms of dementia, as well.”
Cleveland Clinic describes Parkinson’s disease as “an age-related degenerative brain condition, meaning it causes parts of your brain to deteriorate. It’s best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, balance problems and more. Most cases happen for unknown reasons, but some are inherited.”
In regard to his liver, while his condition has improved and he could potentially go “years” without a transplant, doctors are still monitoring his situation carefully.
“I think he is going to deteriorate again,” Dr. Anthony Post from University Hospitals admitted, “and each time he deteriorates, it’s not only (that) it makes him feel terrible — and it definitely makes him feel terrible — but it’s a risk to his life.”
Since retiring in 1996, Kosar has had a long struggle with injuries stemming from his playing days, specifically head and brain injuries. Throughout his career, Kosar says he suffered 80 broken bones, 40 surgeries, numerous seizures and countless concussions.
In 2023, Kosar launched KosarWellness.com to share the supplements that he takes on a daily basis. More recently, he co-founded Renewing Athletes’ Lives, which explores how “targeted brain-support strategies may help athletes sharpen focus, clarity, and mental resilience long after their playing careers ends.”
The Boardman native and 1987 Pro Bowler led the Browns to three AFC championship game appearances. He was cut by Browns coach Bill Belichick in 1993 and went on to win a Super Bowl as a backup with Dallas. Kosar passed for 23,301 yards and threw 124 touchdown passes in his career that spanned from 1985-96.
REACTION
Cleveland Browns
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Bernie. We love you and are with you every step of the way. If anyone can stay strong through this, it’s you