Former Cleveland Browns legendary quarterback Bernie Kosar announced Nov. 16 that he may receive a life-saving liver transplant after spending the past week hospitalized due to internal bleeding.
It’s been reported that Kosar has undergone five surgical procedures since Tuesday in an attempt to garner control of the bleeding. An infection prevented a scheduled transplant the previous weekend, and the bleeding reportedly began Monday morning, leading to two procedures Tuesday, another Wednesday, and — unfortunately — two more Thursday as the bleeding returned overnight.
Bernie Kosar Remains Optimistic Due to Potentially Life-Saving Update
It was revealed last year that Kosar, 61, had been placed on the liver transplant list. He also disclosed in February 2024 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
But it has now been revealed that Kosar is scheduled to get his long-awaited liver transplant at 5 a.m. on Monday.
“Good news is in!!! We are set for 5 AM. Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and support, it truly means the world to me. U Matter,” Kosar posted to his X. The former league standout previously announced that he was scheduled to receive a liver transplant last weekend, but the donor organ was determined to be infected.
Good news is in!!! We are set for 5 AM. Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and support, it truly means the world to me. U Matter. #UMatter #healthyhabits #renewingathleteslives pic.twitter.com/oaso6F4UlT
— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) November 17, 2025
Kosar played in the NFL from 1985 until 1996. He concluded his career with 1,994 completions for a whopping 23,301 passing yards and 124 passing touchdowns, Throughout his career, he also rushed for five touchdowns.
He spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 after being selected by the team in the first round of the 1985 supplemental draft. Kosar took his team to three AFC Championship games and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1987.
In 1993 — Kosar was released midway through the season — and as a result joined the Dallas Cowboys. He replaced Troy Aikman in the NFC Championship Game when he went down due to injury, helping Dallas get past the 49ers. Aikman returned for the Super Bowl against the Bills, and the Cowboys won their third championship.
Kosar finished his career with the Dolphins from 1994 to 1996 as the backup to Dan Marino. In his post-retirement life, he has remained close to the Browns organization, at one point serving as a consultant to former owner Randy Lerner.
Kosar’s battle with liver failure has been ongoing for a long time, and it can only be the hope of all fans, friends, family, and everyone in the league that this last operation brings Kosar’s health in the upward direction.
