Cote: Ex-Browns, Canes QB great Bernie Kosar, in fight for life, receives transplant
Bernie Kosar is in the fight of his life -- a fight for his life.
Kosar is well-known in football circles of course as a former Browns quarterback beloved still in Cleveland, a Super Bowl champion with Dallas, a leader of the Miami Hurricanes’ first national championship in 1983, and later Dan Marino’s backup to end his NFL career with the Dolphins in 1994-96.
On Monday Kosar, who is to turn 62 on Nov. 25, received a long-awaited liver transplant in a Cleveland-area hospital where he had been undergoing procedures to combat internal bleeding so he might be ready for the transplant.
”I’m out and feeling good,” said Kosar after roughly a nine-hour surgical procedure. “Ready to enjoy the rest of the week and the rest if our lives.”
Said a friend who has been at the hospital: “All went well and he is resting comfortably.”
Kosar was diagnosed in 2024 with advanced cirrhosis of the liver and early Parkinson’s disease. He told us Saturday he also has early-stage dementia. A previous prospective donor was disqualified late in the process by an infected liver, crushing news that had extended Kosar’s wait and battle against time.
Kosar called us Saturday from his hospital bed -- just before his alma mater Hurricanes kicked off against North Carolina State -- and conveyed optimism that he might get his transplant soon. He said he was awaiting word that the transplant could happen as soon as Sunday; it happened Monday. He has undergone multiple surgeries recently as he awaited that needed transplant. He said Saturday that the most recent previous procedure had successfully reduced his internal bleeding.
Late Sunday, word came that Kosar would have liver transplant surgery early Monday morning.
“Jimmy Johnson used to say, ‘Somehow, some way, figure out a way for you to make a play to win’,” said Kosar. “Well, I’m somehow, some way, figuring out a way to stay alive.”
Earlier he’d said, “Grateful for all the thoughts and prayers. l am in the hospital getting some care and keeping that fighter’s spirit strong,” writing on X (formerly Twitter) @BernieKosarQB. He included the hashtag, #UMatter.
In a video from his hospital bed prior to the transplant Kosar seemed in good spirits as he said, “All the duress right now, I could actually use your love, support and actual prayers today.”
Kosar passed for 124 touchdowns and more than 23,000 yards in a lengthy, successful NFL career including nine seasons as No. 19 with Cleveland, reaching the AFC Championship Game three times. He also is a forever-hero in Miami with Canes fans as the engineer of UM’s first of five national titles.
A GoFundMe page on Kosar’s behalf was started on Thursday by a close friend in Cleveland, Jim McCarthy. As of midday Saturday more than $65,000 had already been raised toward a goal of $200,000. Visit the official GoFundMe/Kosar page to donate or for more information. Also visit the Kosar Wellness Foundation for additional information or to make purchases to help raise funds.
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM.
