Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar underwent liver transplant surgery Monday in Cleveland. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Former Miami and Cleveland Browns star quarterback Bernie Kosar announced on social media Monday that he underwent successful liver transplant surgery.
“I’m out and I’m feeling good,” Kosar said in a post on X. “Ready to enjoy the rest of the week and the rest of our lives.”
I’m out and I’m feeling good!! matter pic.twitter.com/RetzTMhQWX— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) November 17, 2025
Kosar, 61, had been hospitalized with internal bleeding — and underwent surgical procedures to stop it — as he awaited a liver to become available, He remained upbeat before the surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Just before he was taken to the operating room, he proclaimed, “It might not be victory Monday on the football field, but here we are at 4:23 in the morning at university hospital,” Kosar said in a video he posted on the social media platform.
“It’s absolutely victory Monday for me. I’m looking forward to heading on down to get that liver transplant. As you get ready for something monumental and transformative like this in your life, you can’t help be be a little reflective.
“As I go down there today, I think about all the awesome, awesome support and fans out there and my amazing children and family.”
Kosar, 61, announced last year that he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson’s disease. He was set to receive a transplant last weekend, but the procedure was delayed due to an infection of the donor’s organ.
It might not be Victory Monday on the field, but it is a Victory Monday for me at UH as I head into surgery today. I can’t thank you all enough for the love and support – it truly means everything. Stay tuned for more updates! Matter #UMatter #ShopKosar #VictoryMonday… pic.twitter.com/oGkPc6iKZa— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) November 17, 2025
“We just got the good call. We’ll see you before 5 a.m. tomorrow,” Kosar said Sunday night in another video posted to his X account.
A GoFundMe campaign, set up to raise money for Kosar’s medical battle and road to recovery, has raised more than $90,000.
Kosar led the University of Miami Hurricanes to their first national title in 1983. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 NFL Supplemental Draft spent nine of his 12 seasons in the NFL with the Browns. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1987, when he threw a career-high 22 touchdown passes against nine interceptions.
Kosar won a Super Bowl while serving as a backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 1993-94. He took over for starter Troy Aikman during the NFC title game that postseason after Aikman sustained a concussion.
