CLEVELAND, Ohio – Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is recovering with remarkable speed and optimism after a life-saving liver transplant at University Hospitals on Monday.
Speaking from his hospital room Tuesday, Kosar’s voice was strong as he expressed how well he felt just a day after the major surgery. “The doctors are amazed,” he said. “They can’t believe I’m doing this good.”
Despite managing other chronic health conditions, including early-onset dementia and Parkinson’s disease, the former NFL star stated, “I haven’t felt this good in years.”
His successful transplant followed a critical, life-threatening situation. For days leading up to the procedure, Kosar suffered from severe internal bleeding that had to be stabilized before the surgery could take place. The bleeding finally ceased on Saturday morning after multiple medical interventions.
“It was bad,” Kosar recalled, crediting his faith and the support of others for his survival. “But I never believed I’d pass. I was praying. I felt God’s presence… I felt God wasn’t done with me yet.” The transplant surgery began at 5 a.m. Monday.
Kosar expressed deep gratitude for his medical team, the fans, and particularly the Cleveland Browns organization. He credited team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, along with their son-in-law JW Johnson, for their unwavering support, which he said saved his life.
“The Browns have paid my insurance all these years. I took that for granted,” Kosar said. “My medical bills have been millions and millions… they have been there for me. I’m telling you, I would not be alive without them.”
Kosar, who quarterbacked the Browns from 1985 to 1993 and led the team to the playoffs five times, now hopes to use his health journey to inspire others.
“I want to take this experience and help others to heal like I am,” he said. As he approaches his 62nd birthday in November, Kosar is focused on his new lease on life. “This is the first day of the rest of my life.”
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