Cleveland Browns great Bernie Kosar is opening up about his serious medical issues… revealing that he is currently battling Parkinson’s disease and liver failure.
The former Pro Bowl quarterback went into detail about his current health status in an interview with Cleveland Magazine this week… when he explained that he had liver problems for years but never really treated them until he was diagnosed with cirrhosis about 16 months ago.
Kosar is receiving treatment at University Hospitals in Ohio… and her condition was described as “dire” in early 2024. Thankfully, she has since improved.
Dr. Michael Roizen — one of the medical professionals who helped Kosar — told the outlet there’s more than a 90 percent chance the Super Bowl champion will need a new liver… and he’s currently on the transplant list.
The former Miami Hurricanes star detailed his recent struggles … saying his body gave out on Dec. 28 when the Browns hosted the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
Great night with great people to watch @Browns get your well-deserved playoff birth! #PoundDawg @AndrewSiciliano in @nflnetwork
I enjoyed Browns memories with @EricMetcalf21 and now Coach Middleton
The big @CALÇOZIGLER at home!@kosarcafe https://t.co/yLFXImU2TW photo.twitter.com/qLjxjSnEvg
— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) December 29, 2023
@BernieKosarQB
“I really felt like I wasn’t going to make it home from the Jets game,” Kosar said. “But I sucked it up and kept avoiding the doctors until New Year’s. Then I went to the hospital and got a massive blood transfusion.”
“It was like — ‘How are you alive? How are you moving? Because your hemoglobin levels are so low.'”
Months later, Kosar was hospitalized for several days after flying to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl… and continued to deal with the side effects of liver disease — admitting he “felt like I was dying” three months ago.
“E. Coli blood poisoning,” Kosar said. “Heart problems. And I really thought I needed the liver transplant as soon as possible. I was in such bad shape.”
In addition to the liver problems, Kosar said he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s by an independent NFL doctor that same month.
But Kosar is putting more focus on her body now…and her doctors say her test results are improving.
Despite everything, Kosar says he remains positive… and envisions good health.