_(1).jpg) Kosar in 2023 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | (1963-11-25)November 25, 1963 (age 61) Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 214 lb (97 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Boardman (Boardman, Ohio) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Miami (FL) (1982–1984) | ||||||||||||||
| Supplemental draft: | 1985: 1st round | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Bernard Joseph Kosar Jr. (born November 25, 1963) is an American former professionalfootball player who was aquarterback in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theMiami Hurricanes, leading the team to anational championship in 1983. He subsequently played in the NFL for theCleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993, theDallas Cowboys in 1993, andMiami Dolphins from 1994 to 1996. He was the backup quarterback on the1993 Cowboys team that wonSuper Bowl XXVIII.
Kosar was born inYoungstown, Ohio and raised in suburbanBoardman Township. He is ofHungarian descent.
He attendedBoardman High School, where he earnedParade magazineAll-American honors in 1981 as a senior and wasOhio's Division I "Player of the Year." He also gained recognition as a baseball player, especially for hispitching skills.[1]
Kosar was recruited byUniversity of Miami head football coachHoward Schnellenberger, and Kosar committed to theUniversity of Miami, which ran a passing-oriented offense and was beginning to emerge as one of the nation's premiercollege football programs. Kosar proved instrumental in establishing the University of Miami nickname "Quarterback U" in reference to the number of top quarterbacks the program produced.[2]
After beingredshirted in 1982, Kosarstarted all 12 games as a freshman in 1983. In the 1983 season, he completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,328 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Hurricanes to an 11–1 regular season and a berth in theOrange Bowl against top-rankedNebraska, which had won 22 consecutive games. In the game, Kosar passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns, and the Hurricanes topped the Cornhuskers, 31–30, forMiami's first national championship. Kosar earned Orange Bowl MVP honors for his performance.[3]
In 1984, he set Hurricane season records with 3,642 yards and 25 touchdowns, was a second-team All-American and finished fourth inHeisman Trophy voting. Kosar's career completion percentage of 62.3 percent is still a Hurricanes record.[4]
Kosar threw for 447 yards and two touchdowns, completing 25 of 38 attempts, in the Hurricanes' November 23, 1984 47–45 loss toBoston College when Flutie threw his famous "Hail Flutie" pass.[5] Earlier the same year, Kosar watched as replacement quarterbackFrank Reich of theMaryland Terrapins launched what was then the biggest comeback in college football history, coming back from a first-half deficit of 31–0 to win a 42–40 victory.[6] The game and pass have been described as among the most memorable moments in sports history.[7]
His final collegiate game was the 1985Fiesta Bowl againstUCLA, which the Hurricanes lost 39–37. In that game, Kosar completed 31 of 44 passes for 294 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception.
Kosar graduated from theUniversity of Miami School of Business with a double major in finance and economics. He took 18 credit hours during the spring of 1985 and an additional six during the summer to graduate early.[8]
Kosar was interviewed about his time at the University of Miami for the documentaryThe U, which premiered onESPN on December 12, 2009.
In 1985, Kosar was a highly sought NFL prospect, described as having "an elite football IQ" and "being able to decipher a defense quicker than his coaches."[1] But his route from theUniversity of Miami to theNational Football League would prove to be filled with widespread controversy and the use of highly unconventional transactional and draft NFL tactics.[9]
In a March 14, 1985 press conference inMiami, Kosar announced that he was forgoing his final two years of collegiate eligibility at the University of Miami to enter the National Football League. Kosar grew up aCleveland Browns fan,[10] and also announced in the press conference that he would like to play for the Browns in his native Ohio.
NFL rules at the time permitted only college seniors and college graduates to enter the1985 NFL draft, and Kosar was still a University of Miami underclassman in March 1985. To establish eligibility, Kosar announced he had arranged an expedited academic plan with 18 credits in spring 1985 and an additional six credits in the summer that would permit him to graduate from the University of Miami in time to meet the draft's eligibility requirements. In June 1985, the University of Miami notified the NFL that Kosar had met the course requirements to graduate.[10]
Seeking to obtain Kosar in the NFL draft, theMinnesota Vikings on April 9, 1985, traded with theHouston Oilers to obtain a top draft selection and announced their intent to draft Kosar. Meanwhile, also seeking to draft Kosar, the Browns quietly traded their first round NFL draft selections for 1985 and 1986, their third round selection in 1985 and sixth selection in 1986 with theBuffalo Bills for the Bills' first pick in the 1985 supplemental draft, which paved the way for the Browns to select Kosar in the 1985 supplemental draft if Kosar entered it.[9]
The NFL deadline for the submission of formal eligibility documents for the 1985 draft was April 15, 1985, and the Vikings learned that Kosar had not met the deadline. "I'm as confused as you are," Vikings coachBud Grant said at the time about Kosar. "We put our bid on the line. It's up to the commissioner whether you need a verbal or a written commitment from the man. He dropped out of football, hired an agent and declared he was going in the draft. The only thing he didn't do was sign a letter."[11]
Teams soon learned of the Browns' highly unorthodox trade with the Bills to obtain Kosar in the supplemental draft. Several teams asked then NFL CommissionerPete Rozelle to prevent the unusual trade between the Browns and Bills. Rozelle, in turn, announced that he was giving Kosar until April 23 to submit eligibility documents for either the traditional or supplemental draft. On April 25, Kosar held a press conference, announcing his intention to skip the traditional draft and enter the supplemental draft, where he expected to be selected with the Browns' first selection.[10]
TheHouston Oilers, also seeking to draft Kosar in the traditional draft, threatened to sue to stop the entire draft unless Kosar was in it. Houston also appealed to the Vikings to join the suit. Kosar's agent, in turn, threatened to sue the NFL if Kosar was obligated to enter the traditional draft.
But when the Vikings refused to join the suit, the Oilers dropped it. Kosar submitted documentation announcing his eligibility and participation in the 1985 supplemental draft.[9]
On July 3, 1985, the Browns used their first selection in the 1985 supplemental draft to select Kosar, offering him a five-year contract.[10][12]
TheCleveland Browns intended for Kosar to serve asGary Danielson's backup in Kosar's rookie season, but Danielson injured his shoulder in the fifth week. Kosar completed half of his passes in the team's run-oriented offense that year, and the team squeaked into the playoffs with an 8–8 record, losing to theMiami Dolphins in the divisional playoffs.
Danielson was injured again in the 1986 preseason. By the time Danielson healed and returned, however, Kosar had established himself as the Browns' permanent starter. In a new, passing-focused offense, Kosar threw for 3,854 yards and finished second in the league with 310 completions. The Browns took the top seed in theAmerican Football Conference (AFC) with a 12–4 record. In the divisional playoffs against theNew York Jets, Kosar threw for a then-playoff-record 489 yards (a record since broken byTom Brady inSuper Bowl LII) in leading the Browns to a 23–20 comeback victory in double overtime. But the following week,John Elway's98-yard drive in theAFC championship game kept the Browns out of theSuper Bowl.
Kosar's most productive year statistically was 1987. In the strike-shortened season, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,033 yards and 22 touchdowns and led the AFC in quarterback rating. In anAFC championship rematch against Elway'sDenver Broncos, Kosar threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns in a 38–33 loss.
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Kosar spent most of the 1988 season sidelined with injuries but came back to throw for 3,533 yards in 1989. That year, the Browns advanced to the AFC championship for the third time in four years,losing again to the Broncos in Denver.
Kosar set a record forconsecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes (3 games) having thrown three scores against bothIndianapolis and Denver in 1987, and three againstBuffalo in 1989.[13]
Kosar's later years in Cleveland were dampened by injuries and dwindling support around him. In 1990, Kosar threw a career-high 15 interceptions as the Browns went 3–13. He also started the 1990 season by setting an NFL record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 286.[14] The following year, 1991, Kosar came back to throw for 3,487 yards and 18 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. In 1990 and 1991, Kosar set league records by throwing 308 consecutive passes without an interception, which stood as an AFC League record for almost two decades.
In 1991, the Browns hiredBill Belichick as head coach. Following a 1992 season that saw Kosar miss nine games with a broken ankle and go 2–5 in the games that he started, Belichick signed quarterbackVinny Testaverde, also a formerUniversity of Miami quarterback, prior to the 1993 season. After falling from 3–0 to 3–2 in the 1993 season, Belichick benched Kosar in favor of Testaverde. An injury to Testaverde returned Kosar to the field. After a 29–14 loss to Denver in Week 10, the Browns released Kosar.[15]
According to a poll of Browns fans in 2019, Kosar was considered the "most beloved" Browns player in the franchise's history.[16]
TheDallas Cowboys suffered an injury to starterTroy Aikman on the same weekend. After Kosar's release, the Cowboys promptly signed Kosar to a one-year, $1 million contract as the backup quarterback for rookieJason Garrett. After an inefficient first nine minutes of the game againstPhoenix with only two completions, Garrett was replaced by Kosar, who finished the rest of the game and started the next game for his only two meaningful game action in the regular season. During theNFC Championship Game against theSan Francisco 49ers, Aikman was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the third quarter, with Kosar finishing the game, completing five of nine pass attempts for 83 yards and one touchdown. He earned his onlySuper Bowl championship as a backup inSuper Bowl XXVIII, entering the game in the final play and knelt down to close the victory.
Kosar spent the final two years of his NFL career with theMiami Dolphins as backup toDan Marino. Kosar brought to the Dolphins a trick play that helped the Dolphins top theNew York Jets in a crucial 1994 game.[17] With the clock winding down and the Dolphins trailing by three, Marinopretended to spike the ball to stop the clock. He then threw the winning touchdown pass toMark Ingram.[17]
Kosar finished his 12-season career with 1,994 completions in 3,365 attempts for 23,301 yards and 124 touchdowns, 87 interceptions, and five rushing touchdowns.[18] In November 1991, Kosar also set the NFL record for most consecutive completed passes without an interception, a record that stood until broken byTom Brady on December 26, 2010.[19]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Pro Bowl selection | |
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Lng | Rtg | ||
| 1985 | CLE | 12 | 10 | 4−6 | 124 | 248 | 50.0 | 1,578 | 6.4 | 8 | 7 | 68 | 69.3 |
| 1986 | CLE | 16 | 16 | 12–4 | 310 | 531 | 58.4 | 3,854 | 7.3 | 17 | 10 | 72 | 83.8 |
| 1987 | CLE | 12 | 12 | 8−4 | 241 | 389 | 62.0 | 3,033 | 7.8 | 22 | 9 | 54 | 95.4 |
| 1988 | CLE | 9 | 9 | 6−3 | 156 | 259 | 60.2 | 1,890 | 7.3 | 10 | 7 | 77 | 84.3 |
| 1989 | CLE | 16 | 16 | 9−6–1 | 303 | 513 | 59.1 | 3,533 | 6.9 | 18 | 14 | 97 | 80.3 |
| 1990 | CLE | 13 | 13 | 3–10 | 230 | 423 | 54.4 | 2,562 | 6.1 | 10 | 15 | 50 | 65.7 |
| 1991 | CLE | 16 | 16 | 6–10 | 307 | 494 | 62.1 | 3,487 | 7.1 | 18 | 9 | 71 | 87.8 |
| 1992 | CLE | 7 | 7 | 2–5 | 103 | 155 | 66.5 | 1,160 | 7.5 | 8 | 7 | 69 | 87.0 |
| 1993 | CLE | 7 | 6 | 3–3 | 79 | 138 | 57.2 | 807 | 5.8 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 77.2 |
| DAL | 4 | 1 | 0−1 | 36 | 63 | 57.1 | 410 | 6.5 | 3 | 0 | 86 | 92.7 | |
| 1994 | MIA | 2 | 0 | − | 7 | 12 | 58.3 | 80 | 6.7 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 71.5 |
| 1995 | MIA | 9 | 2 | 0–2 | 74 | 108 | 68.5 | 699 | 6.5 | 3 | 5 | 31 | 76.1 |
| 1996 | MIA | 3 | 0 | – | 24 | 32 | 75.0 | 208 | 6.5 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 102.1 |
| Career | 126 | 108 | 53−54–1 | 1,994 | 3,365 | 59.3 | 23,301 | 6.9 | 124 | 87 | 97 | 81.8 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Lng | Rtg | ||
| 1985 | CLE | 1 | 1 | 0−1 | 10 | 19 | 52.6 | 66 | 3.5 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 56.0 |
| 1986 | CLE | 2 | 2 | 1−1 | 51 | 96 | 53.1 | 748 | 7.8 | 3 | 4 | 48 | 71.9 |
| 1987 | CLE | 2 | 2 | 1−1 | 46 | 72 | 63.9 | 585 | 8.1 | 6 | 2 | 53 | 105.4 |
| 1989 | CLE | 2 | 2 | 1−1 | 39 | 73 | 53.4 | 461 | 6.3 | 5 | 3 | 52 | 78.6 |
| 1993 | DAL | 2 | 0 | − | 5 | 9 | 55.6 | 83 | 9.2 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 123.8 |
| 1995 | MIA | 1 | 0 | − | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 108.3 |
| Career | 10 | 7 | 3−4 | 152 | 270 | 56.3 | 1,953 | 7.2 | 16 | 10 | 53 | 83.5 | |
Since his NFL retirement in 1996, Kosar has been involved in several sports and business-related ventures. He hosted the Nestlé/Bernie Kosar Charity Classic atTanglewood National Golf Club inBainbridge Township, Ohio throughout the 1990s.[20]
In 2001, Kosar purchased theFlorida Panthers, aNational Hockey League team, along with pharmaceutical businessmanAlan Cohen.[21]
In 2007, there was some speculation that Kosar might take the head coaching job at theUniversity of Miami, his alma mater and where he holds a seat on the university'sboard of regents. Kosar acknowledged that he had considered taking the job before it was ultimately offered toRandy Shannon.[22][23]
Kosar also purchased a minority share in theArena Football League'sLas Vegas Gladiators in 2007 and announced that the team would move toCleveland and play under the nameCleveland Gladiators.[24] On October 16, 2007, Kosar was named team president and CEO of the franchise.[25] The Gladiators finished the 2008 regular season 9–7, earning them a playoff berth.
On October 17, 2009, Kosar was hired as a consultant for theCleveland Browns.[26]
In September 2022, Kosar launched "The Bernie Kosar Show" with local sports media company BIGPLAY. A sports podcast withCleveland BrownscornerbackHanford Dixon interviewing athletes and discussing theCleveland Browns past present, and future.[27] In 2023 Kosar was involved in a lawsuit related to BIGPLAY.[28]
Following the 2008–2009 recession, Kosar and his businesses declared bankruptcy on June 19, 2009, later revealing $9.2 million in assets and $18.9 million in debt. Kosar's initial bankruptcy filing was aChapter 11 restructuring, but the U.S. Bankruptcy Court inFt. Lauderdale on January 6, 2010, ordered the proceeding be changed to aChapter 7 liquidation.[29] Under the restructuring, Kosar's filings proposed protecting his NFL pension, though it was unclear[when?] if this will be permitted under a Chapter 7 proceeding.[30]
In July 2010, it was reported that Kosar was on the verge of losing property inGeauga County, Ohio for unpaid back taxes totaling $173,557.90.[31] In September 2010, the trustees ofAuburn Township indicated it was considering purchasing the land inforeclosure.[32]
Kosar has lent his name to Kosar's Wood-Fired Grill at theHard Rock Rock Casino Northfield Park inNorthfield, Ohio, which opened in December 2013.[33]
Kosar has teamed with Ohio grocery chainHeinen's for a motivational and wellness seminar series based on Kosar's autobiography,Learning to Scramble,[34] which he published in 2017.[35]
In October 2023, Kosar announced a line of wellness products named U Matter Wellness Essentials[36] under his Kosar Wellness brand, selling supplements including digestive enzymes, fermented vegetable powder andeffervescenthumic fulvic acid tablets.[37] As part of the product launch, Kosar partnered with Foundation Health Solutions, an Ohio-basedlong-term care company.[38] In 2023 Kosar was involved in a lawsuit related to Kosar Wellness.[28]
A Jan. 5, 2024, Cleveland.com story[full citation needed] by Peter Chakerian stated that Bernie Kosar just launched a new patented coffee blend, designed by Kosar himself to "boost immunity, protect against chronic diseases and strengthen heart health."
On June 22, 1990, Kosar married Babette Ferre[39] whom he first met as aUniversity of Miami student.[40] They had four children. Ferre filed for divorce in 2005, alleging that Kosar had engaged in reckless spending, bad investments, and drug use. The divorce was finalized in 2007.[41] Kosar dated Tami Longaberger ofThe Longaberger Company from 2009 to 2013.[42]
Kosar was prominently featured inBroke, a 2012ESPN30 For 30 documentary about the financial problems common among high-earning athletes. According to one review ofBroke, "[Kosar's] story proved to be the true heart of the film" with Kosar's upfront discussion of family problems and bad business decisions.[43]
On September 29, 2013, Kosar was pulled over by law enforcement inSolon, Ohio for speeding and was arrested on suspicion ofdriving under the influence of alcohol. He later pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of reckless operation and received a $750 fine and suspended jail sentence.[44]
Kosar's political views are undetermined, but was invited to the2016 Republican National Convention, and spoke positively of host state Ohio and host cityCleveland in the context of the Convention being held there.[45] In 2022, he appeared in an advertisement forTim Ryan, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate inOhio.[46]
Kosar continues to deal with lingering health issues related to severalconcussions he sustained during his playing career and enrolled in a treatment program to alleviate his symptoms.[47] Kosar says the experimental treatment has been helpful and has promoted it to other players who may have developed symptoms related tochronic traumatic encephalopathy.[48] For over a decade, Kosar's symptoms have included insomnia, slurred speech, and ringing in his head.[49]
In 2024, Kosar said he was diagnosed withcirrhosis of the liver and early symptoms ofParkinson's disease.[50]
In the 2010 novelI Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, protagonist John Smith finds an abandonedbeagle named "Bernie Kosar" who becomes Smith's pet. In the2011 film adaptation, a poster of Kosar is shown in Smith's new bedroom.[51]
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