Former NFL QB Bernie Kosar Asks for ‘Prayers’ During Health Procedure

Bernie Kosar was once a college football and NFL superstar, leading his teams to championship glory and playoff success. He is perhaps best known for his time with the Cleveland Browns in the 1980s and early 90's, leading the franchise to three AFC title games in a four-year span.

Kosar won a Super Bowl as a backup to Troy Aikman with the Dallas Cowboys, and ended his career behind Dan Marino on the Miami Dolphins.

In 2024, Kosar revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and cirrhosis of the liver. The 61-year-old quarterback was in line to receive a liver transplant, but revealed that he underwent two "aggressive" procedures.

Grateful for all the thoughts and prayers. ???????? I am in the hospital getting some care and keeping that fighter’s spirit strong. ???????? #UMatter #RenewingAthletesLives pic.twitter.com/PrdI3DhPxV

— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) November 12, 2025

In a video posted to social media, Kosar noted that he had two surgeries on Tuesday to stop internal bleeding, and that he was in line for a third. Kosar was set to receive the new liver over the weekend, but the procedure was halted due to an infection in the donor organ.

"All the duress right now, I could really use your love, support and actual prayers today,” the former quarterback said in the video.

Kosar's Diagnoses and Initial Symptoms

“Liver disease does tend to fluctuate,” said Dr. Anthony Post of University Hospitals when Kosar's diagnoses were initially revealed. “So he's on that wave thing where it goes up and down. He's in a good phase right now, but anything bad could happen.”

Doctors at University Hospitals concluded that there was a 90% chance that Kosar would need a new liver, and he was placed on the transplant list in the spring of 2024.

"I looked like death. I felt like death," Kosar said in an interview with Cleveland Magazine.

He began to notice symptoms after attending a Browns game in late December of 2023, and fell ill after traveling to that season's Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

"E. Coli blood poisoning. Heart trouble. And I really thought I needed the liver transplant ASAP. I was in bad shape.’’

Staying Positive Through Adversity

Despite his diagnoses, Kosar has continued to maintain a positive outlook and attitude.

"I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking,’’ the former quarterback said. "For me, it’s not just a slogan. I believe that positive energy can be manifested in our brains, and I love to live in the space of positivity."

Kosar helped the Miami Hurricanes win their first national championship in 1983, and is in the top five in several categories across Cleveland's franchise history. Since his playoff success in the 1980s, the Browns have only won two playoff games in four appearances.