Bernie Kosar health issues: Former Browns, Dolphins, Hurricanes quarterback reveals serious issues

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Bernie Kosar revealed on Tuesday two major health issues and is in need of a transplant. Kosar, best known for his time at the University of Miami and for his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, is battling liver disease and has been diagnosed with Parkinsons. He revealed the issues to Cleveland Magazine.

According to the Cleveland Magazine piece, Dr. Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer of Cleveland Clinic, believers there is a “90% chance that Kosar will need a new liver.” The former Pro Bowl selection was added to the transplant list this year.

Kosar explained to Cleveland Magazine’s Dennis Manoloff and Dillon Stewart that while watching the Browns face the New York Jets in December, he did not feel well. “My body gave out on me,’’ he explained. “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.’’’

He was hospitalized shortly after traveling to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas with continued liver disease issues. He was initially diagnosed with liver disease about 16 months ago, according to the article. Kosar admitted his liver has been causing problems for several years, but that he ignored it and tried to just deal with any pain or iissues.

Kosar added he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February.

Since retiring from football, Kosar’s health issues have included headaches, insomnia, and slurred speech, according to SB Nation’s Dawgs By Nature.

After accelerating his degree plans and graduating early, the Browns made Kosar a first-round pick in the 1985 supplementary draft. During his two seasons as the University of Miami quarterback, Kosar threw for 5,971 yards on a 62.3 percent completion rate with 40 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

With the Browns, Kosar threw for 21,904 yards on a 58.8 percent completion rate with 116 touchdowns and 81 interceptions, giving him an 81.6 passer rating. He was selected to the 1987 Pro Bowl.

During the 1993 season, the Browns moved to Vinny Testaverde as their starting quarterback, eventually releasing Kosar during the season. The Dallas Cowboys quickly signed Kosar following an injury to starter Troy Aikman. He appeared in four games with one start for the Cowboys, throwing for 410 yards with a 57.1 percent completion rate and three touchdowns, with a 92.7 passer rating.

Kosar joined the Dolphins in 1994, spending three years with Miami. Backing up Dan Marino, Kosar appeared in 14 games with Miami, including two starts, throwing for 987 yards on a 69.1 percent completion rate with five touchdowns and six interceptions, giving him anm 81.2 passer rating.

Perhaps the highlight of Kosar’s time with the Dolphins came on a play in which the quarterback was not on the field. Kosar worked with Marino on the idea of a fake-spike play, with Marino running to the line of scrimmage and appearing set to spike the football immediately after the snap to stop a running clock late in a game. Instead, Marino would fake the spike and then look for a receiver. The play worked perfectly during the 1994 season, with Marino throwing a touchdown pass to Mark Ingram to beat the New York Jets.

Kosar’s health has improved some recently, but the need for a liver transplant remains.

Wishing good luck and for continued improvement for Kosar.